Starting in place of Matt Forte, Michael Bush rushed 18 times for 55 yards and a touchdown in Chicago's Week 3 win over the Rams. He added two catches for 18 yards. Bush had trouble finding running lanes against the Rams' tough defensive line, getting held to two or fewer yards on 13 of his 18 totes. He saved his day with three scampers of 12 or more yards and a three-yard score, however. Bush was spelled throughout by Kahlil Bell, but Bell fared even worse, notching just 20 yards on 10 carries. With Forte's return timetable remaining murky, Bush should be in for another start against the Cowboys in Week 4. He'll be solid RB2/flex.

Coach Lovie Smith expressed confidence in Michael Bush as his temporary starting tailback. It's unclear how long Matt Forte (ankle) will be out, but Bush is ready to carry the load. "Mike's a good player," Smith said. "We said when we brought him in we were bringing in a starting tailback that we added to the mix." Bush projects as the three-down and goal-line back in Sunday's game against the Rams. He's a RB1.

Michael Bush carried the ball 14 times for 54 yards at Green Bay in Week 2. Bush handled five straight carries on one series early in the second quarter, but the majority of his workload came after Matt Forte was knocked out of the game with an ankle injury in the third quarter. Although the downgrade in playmaking ability Forte and Bush was evident, the latter has solid RB2 value if Forte misses time with an ankle injury. As the Bears' starter, Bush would be a top-15 fantasy option versus the Rams in Week 3.

Michael Bush rushed just once for two yards in Friday's preseason game against the Giants, and was held without a catch. On a night where the Bears' line generated no push, Bush was a microscopic part of the game-plan behind Matt Forte, who took the rock 10 times. If Bush doesn't see time in Chicago's exhibition finale, he'll finish the preseason with nine rushes for 25 yards. He did find the end-zone twice, however. Bush isn't looking like a serious threat to Forte's early-down work, but should definitely be in the mix around the goal-line.

Michael Bush rushed five times for 21 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears' second preseason game. He added one catch for four yards. Bush was used exclusively in short-yardage situations, and the majority of his carries came with Matt Forte not in the game. Outside of redzone work, he won't be a threat to Forte's 2012 touches.

The Chicago Tribune confirms the Bears are expected to use Michael Bush as their primary goal-line back. "When [we] do a study, who is successful in short yardage and goal line and why, it's the guy who can move the pile," offensive coordinator Mike Tice said. "We have one of those guys." Bush has reportedly received the majority of redzone work in training camp, and is being featured as a short-yardage complement to Matt Forte.

Michael Bush said he doesn't want to be labeled as merely a short-yardage pounder. Bush showed his all-around skills after Darren McFadden went down last season, racking up 26 catches and 644 rushing yards over the final eight games of the year. But in Chicago, he's going to be the bruising complement to clear starter Matt Forte. "That's the role I've been stuck with because of my size," Bush said. "If that's what I've got to do, then that's what I've got to do." He's a goal-line vulture and handcuff to Forte.

Michael Bush understands that his role behind Matt Forte won't be any different the role he played as Darren McFadden's backup with the Raiders. Bush took no offense when Forte said he felt "disrespected" by his signing. "When (Forte) gets here, I mean, to me my role doesn't change, as it was in Oakland," Bush said. "(Forte) is in, he gets tired, he goes out. I come back in or whatever." Bush will likely handle the bulk of the goal-line carries, but his primary fantasy value is as a handcuff to Forte.

Updating a previous item, coach Lovie Smith indicated Michael Bush will have a role similar to that of Marion Barber in 2011. The one difference is Bush will be more involved in the passing game because he has better hands. Bush should see roughly 8-10 touches per game, including the majority of goal-line carries. He's a high-end handcuff as opposed to a flex option. Matt Forte remains a borderline RB1.

Newly signed Michael Bush was told by coach Lovie Smith that there will be a rotation at tailback with Matt Forte. "The rotation is going to be very good. (Smith) wants both us to make a lot of plays," Bush said. "I think there's enough carries to go around." We suspect that rotation will be similar to the one he was in with Darren McFadden. Forte can maintain low-end RB1 fantasy value as a pass-catching back with high yardage totals, but Bush is going to vulture his touchdowns.