Khalil Herbert didn’t realize it until someone told him Thursday morning: the Bears’ 181 rushing yards per game are most in the NFL. No team ran more often through seven weeks, and only four averaged more yards per carry when they did.

“It’s amazing,” Herbert said.

What’s even more amazing is how the Bears have gotten to that point: by using a running back platoon between Herbert, who leads all NFL running backs with 6.2 yards per carry, and starter David Montgomery.

Montgomery is in the final year of his contract; in theory, every handoff to Herbert costs him future earnings. Herbert, who is in his second season, has more staying power entering the Bears’ matchup against the Cowboys on Sunday.

In some years, on some teams, that dynamic would cause a rift. The two say they remain close, though, even as they trade off carries.

“We feed off each other’s energy,” Montgomery said. “Khalil’s playing lights out right now. I’m proud of him. He works for that. And I’m following suit, just trying to be the best version of myself so that we all can come to a point and get this thing rolling and get some wins.”

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said the Bears ride the “hot hand” when it comes to carries, but there’s no mistaking the role that has emerged for Herbert. In the first two games after Montgomery returned from an ankle injury, he outpaced Herbert in carries (27-11) and snaps (92-30). After the team regrouped during a “mini-bye,” though, Montgomery led Herbert by smaller margins in carries (15-12) and snaps (40-29) against the Patriots.

“When David gets a little tired — and he doesn’t seem like he ever gets tired – you throw Khalil in,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “And Khalil doesn’t seem to ever get tired.”

As his rushing yards pile up, it’s fair to wonder when Herbert will pass Montgomery in carries. That’s worth considering before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, where Montgomery could be attractive as a rental. But so’s this: a Bears offense that has figured out so little this season doesn’t want to mess with a good thing.

A strong run game helps quarterback Justin Fields, not hurts him. Fields leans on the team’s two-headed running back monster as much as Montgomery and Herbert lean on each other.

“It’s hard to be successful without getting the run game going,” Fields said. “Really, just, the run game just opens up play-action pass and every other element of your offense. So of course, always getting the run game going is definitely going to help me out playing quarterback.”

Fields helps the run game, too. The Bears are the only NFL team with three players — Herbert (66.3), Fields (52) and Montgomery (51.3)–averaging 50 yards per game or more. Only three other teams can claim even two such players.

“I feel like it’s a problem for the defense to account for all three of us,” Herbert said. “That’s three different styles you have to account for. Being back there, there’s a lot they have to think about.”

It’s up to offensive coordinator Luke Getsy to sort that out.

“Against Washington, I think it was the fourth quarter, I didn’t want to stop giving it to David,” Getsy said. “He was just killing it. This week, Khalil had a bunch of really good runs. He didn’t want to stop giving it to him.

“It’s really good that we have that. … Having those two guys on our side is a big benefit.”

Coaches often determine which running back is on the field, but Montgomery and Herbert do have the autonomy to take themselves out of the game. When one is in the game, the other is on the sideline, waiting for a look over.

“I always give him a thumbs up,” Herbert said. “Like, ‘You good? You good? You need me to come? And vice versa.

“We look out for each other.”

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As Blackhawks goalie Alex Stalock made a save to stop play in the third period Tuesday night, defenseman Caleb Jones turned around and shoved Panthers center Aleksander Barkov away from the net.

It was a small, almost meaningless display of resistance. But it caught Hawks coach Luke Richardson’s eye.

“We’ve talked about that, having a presence there,” Richardson said. “I don’t care who it is, [we need a] five-man mentality to get them out of our crease, not let them in. And we have Caleb Jones — probably our smallest defenseman out there — doing it, knowing he has the other four guys out there to back him up. That’s huge.”

Recognition like that is huge for Jones, too. At 25, entering his second year with the Hawks and his fifth in the NHL, the 6-1, 195-pounder realizes the clock is ticking on his long-awaited career breakthrough.

If he doesn’t prove this season that he can be more than a depth option revolving in and out of the lineup, he might never prove it. That’s a harsh, big-picture perspective that many players would avoid, but Jones has embraced it.

“I’m getting to that age where it’s time to really get established,” he said Thursday. “There’s a lot of guys that want to play in the NHL, and you only get so many opportunities. That’s something I’ve learned: When [opportunities] come along, you have to make sure you grab them. Every time you get on the ice, you have to make sure you’re playing your best. Once you show that consistency, they can’t take you out of the lineup.”

Jones did show flashes on offense last season, with 15 points in 51 games. But the flashes were usually just that, and he struggled with turnovers and coverage in his own zone.

“I had good stretches of games, and then I’d fall off, and then have another good stretch, and that just doesn’t work,” he said, chuckling. “I’m just trying to stay consistent and do everything off the ice right and keep myself healthy. I think my talent and my game will take care of itself on the ice.”

Staying healthy has indeed been a challenge. Jones missed six weeks last season with a wrist injury, then the World Championships and some summer training with another wrist injury, then most of camp and this season’s opener with a shoulder issue.

But in between it all, he watched the playoffs closely, hoping to learn from what he saw. His main takeaway was exactly what delighted Richardson on Tuesday.

“[When] you look at the best teams, they make it hard for other forwards to get to the front of the net,” Jones said. “It’s a battle. I know for myself, personally, I wasn’t very good at that last year. All of us want to be better at that and be harder to play against, and that’s something I’ve tried to focus on coming into this year.”

Jones’ first two appearances this season — against the Golden Knights and Sharks — were disappointing. His turnover tendencies continued, and he often was caught out of position. But he looked better against the Red Wings and Panthers, convincing Richardson to halt a sixth-defenseman rotation with Filip Roos to play Jones again Thursday against the Oilers, his former team. He had an assist on Reese Johnson’s goal late in the first period.

Entering Thursday, opponents’ expected-goals rate against Jones at even strength had decreased from 2.62 last season to 2.17 this season — an encouraging trend.

“He’s not the biggest guy, but he has been playing big,” Richardson said. “He has the skating ability to [be an NHL regular]. It’s just [about] calming down with the puck [and] making sure he’s not rushing things and having more confidence. The more he plays, the more confidence he’ll gain.”

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By the end of the season, the Cubs finally had Adbert Alzolay, Justin Steele and Keegan Thompson back in the clubhouse together — the three pitchers at the frontline of refurbishing the club’s reputation for developing pitching.

The core of that “next great Cubs team” is poised to be centered on pitching. And in the midst of an unpredictable postseason with a new format, the playoffs have made one thing clear: the importance of homegrown talent.

Take the two teams headed to the World Series, for example. Besides the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal, the club is best known for its player development, which has kept its championship window open long after the Cubs’ snapped shut.

The Phillies had the opposite reputation in recent years. But this season, homegrown players Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, Matt Vierling and Seranthony Dominguez have helped power the team’s postseason success.

“When the series gets shortened, certainly you don’t have to have a perfect team to win in the postseason,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said after the season. “We’ve seen that year after year. But our goal has to be higher. Our goal has to be to create one of those teams that you feel like has the best chance in October.”

Aggressive trades and signings put the finishing touches on those teams, but homegrown talent builds the foundation.

The last rebuild notoriously was missing homegrown pitching. Even for Alzolay and Steele, development wasn’t a straight line because of injuries.

When Craig Breslow took over the leadership of the pitching department in the fall of 2019, however, the trio was poised to compete at upper levels of the farm system — or in the majors, in Alzolay’s case.

Breslow’s influence as the Cubs overhauled their pitching department has garnered praise from colleagues throughout the organization. This past season, another wave of young pitchers arrived: Caleb Kilian, Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski (whom the Cubs acquired from the Yankees for homegrown reliever Scott Effross). All three made their MLB debuts.

The next question is what roles Thompson, Alzolay and Steele will take. Steele has been a starter for the Cubs since August 2021. Thompson and Alzolay, on the other hand, also have served as multi-inning relievers.

“We’ll see what happens,” said Thompson, who posted a 1.47 ERA as a reliever but also steadied the rotation in late June, when it was reeling from injuries to veterans, with a string of dominant performances that secured his spot. “I hope it’s a starting role, but we’ll have to wait and see what kind of acquisitions we make in the offseason and just see how spring goes.”

Alzolay has been forced into a relief role since late last season because of injuries. But it could prove to be the best fit to keep him healthy and maximize his effectiveness against right-handed hitters. Alzolay plans to build up as a starter leading into spring training.

“But the option coming out of the bullpen is still there,” he said. “To be honest, I really like it. I really like that ‘long guy in a high-intensity situation’ role.”

The foundation is being poured. What’s in store for this offseason? Hoyer was hesitant to promise a top-of-the rotation starter, calling into question how the term should be defined.

“We’re actively looking for quality innings,” he said, “pitchers we feel like we can work with and potentially make better.”

Hoyer emphasized the need for depth. When the injury-hobbled rotation struggled early in the season, it was clear the Cubs were lacking it. But in the second half, Cubs starters posted a 2.89 ERA, trailing only the playoff-bound Dodgers and Astros.

That late success is not an invitation to sit back, nor does the club see it that way.

“As far as the future of the rotation,” Steele said, “if you go and add a top-of-the-line arm to what we already have, you can see something really special unfold.”

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After Tyler Johnson was placed on injured reserve Thursday, Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said the plan to replace Johnson on the special-teams units would depend on “just how many power plays and penalty kills we have.”

The answer, at least in the Hawks’ 6-5 lossThursday against the Oilers? More than Richardson ever could’ve imagined.

Referees Chris Rooney and Jon McIsaac called an extremely tight game and the Hawks and Oilers played an extremely undisciplined game, leading to a parade to the penalty box of proportions rarely seen before in the United Center.

Twenty minor penalties were called in total, including 14 in the second period alone. The Hawks finished 2-for-10 on the ‘PP’ and the Oilers finished 3-for-7. Oilers forward Evander Kane was singlehandedly tagged for two cross-checking minors, one unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and an incidental goalie interference call that, while not a minor, did disallow a goal.

“We did a good job on the penalty kill at times,” Richardson said. “But if you take that many penalties, special players in the league like [Connor] McDavid and [Leon] Draisaitl are going to make you pay.”

The game’s scoring ended up nearly equaling its refereeing in terms of absurdity. The two teams scored a combined five game-tying goals. McDavid completed his hat trick with a filthy deke past Jake McCabe and shot through Alex Stalock with 10 minutes left, but even that was ultimately overshadowed by more drama.

Evander Kane made up for his antics — and overcame a late goal by Hawks namesake Patrick Kane –by setting up Draisaitl for the game-winner with 37.6 seconds left.

“You tie it with three minutes left and you think you’re giving yourself a good chance at a point, and [then Draisaitl] finds those open areas,” Patrick Kane said. “That’s what he’s so good at. That’s why he scores so many goals.”

Johnson sidelined

Richardson didn’t offer an exact timeline for Johnson’s recovery from his sprained ankle. But he compared the injury to the one Boris Katchouk suffered in training camp, after which Katchouk was ruled out for four-to-six weeks.

The Hawks had initially feared Johnson’s injury would keep him out even longer than that.

“Ankle sprains are common nowadays, especially with the stiff boots and skates they wear,” Richardson said. “We’re lucky it’s hopefully short-term. He was playing so well, too, we’re going to miss him. But it’s definitely good news because it could’ve been worse.”

With the Hawks not wanting to disrupt the chemistry of the current third line (Jason Dickinson centering Philipp Kurashev and Sam Lafferty), Jujhar Khaira was promoted from the fourth to second line, taking Johnson’s spot on Jonathan Toews’ left wing.

Reese Johnson slotted into Khaira’s spot and scored his second career goal in the first period.

Father Kane

Patrick Kane’s son will turn 2 next month, and he’s old enough now to attend Hawks’ matinee games –including the win last weekend against the Kraken.

But there’s a difference between attending the games and enjoying them.

“He hates hockey,” Kane said this week with a sly smile. “I shouldn’t say he hates it, but he’ll play for like 30 seconds with me and then grab my stick and puts them back. He’d rather play with his construction trucks, or watch his mom cook or play in his little kitchen.”

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Friday

Class 8A: Bolingbrook at No. 13 Maine South, 7 p.m.

There aren’t a lot of programs that go into most seasons expecting to contend for a state title — especially in the biggest class — but these are two in that select group. Bolingbrook (6-3) had a quarterback competition in the preseason and freshman Jonas Williams emerged as the starter. He has been nothing short of spectacular, starting with a remarkable seven-touchdown effort in Week 1 against eventual playoff qualifier Minooka. The Raiders have other playmakers as well, including junior receiver I’Marion Stewart, who has 19 offers; and defensive back Damon Walters, a Northwestern recruit. Maine South (7-2) graduated 19 starters from last year’s 8A runner-up team, but its only two losses were by a combined three points to Warren and Prospect, who are both 8-1.

8A: No. 20 Naperville North at No. 10 Marist, 7 p.m.

Naperville North (7-2) has the state’s top senior quarterback prospect in Northwestern-bound Aidan Gray, who has completed 66% of his passes for 1,380 yards and 13 touchdowns. Junior Luke Williams, who has 13 offers, is his favorite target. Gray is also one of four Huskies who have rushed for at least 380 yards; Cole Arl, Danny Eloe and Nathan Jacobs are the others. Marist’s losses came to three top-six teams who are a combined 25-2: Mount Carmel, Loyola and Glenbard West. Converted receiver Dermot Smyth has been excellent for the RedHawks (6-3) at quarterback, throwing for 1,605 yards and 11 TDs with four interceptions. At 6-3 and 200 pounds, Miami (Ohio)-bound receiver Ryan Sims is a tough matchup for opposing defensive backs. Big Ten recruits John Nestor, a defensive back committed to Iowa, and Jamel Howard, a lineman committed to Wisconsin, lead the Marist defense.

Class 7A: No. 23 Brother Rice at Jacobs, 7 p.m.

Brother Rice is one of the more dangerous 5-4 teams in any bracket, toughened by playing in the CCL/ESCC Blue and owning a win over defending 4A champ Joliet Catholic. The Crusaders have one of the deeper receiver groups around with Owen Lyons, Rickey Taylor, Marty O’Keeffe and Michael Bos. Wisconsin-bound lineman Roderick Pierce III leads the defense. Jacobs (8-1) shared the Fox Valley title with Prairie Ridge and Huntley after reaching the 7A quarterfinals last season. Four-star tight end Grant Stec has 15 offers and is the consensus No. 4 junior in Illinois.

7A: Geneva at No. 11 St. Rita, 7 p.m.

St. Rita (7-2) has gone to state the past two postseasons, finishing second in 5A in 2019 and second in 7A last season (the playoffs were canceled because of the pandemic in 2020-21). Can the Mustangs make it three in a row for coach Todd Kuska, who is retiring after 25 seasons? St. Rita has won six straight after starting off 1-2 with losses to Mount Carmel and Loyola. DJ Stewart and Ethan Middleton are productive backs for the Mustangs. Geneva (6-3) is one of four playoff qualifiers from the DuKane. Junior quarterback Nate Stempowski has passed for 1,332 yards and 17 TDs, and also has rushed for five scores.

Class 5A: Nazareth at Glenbard South, 7 p.m.

Don’t be fooled by Nazareth’s 5-4 record. The Roadrunners’ schedule featured six playoff qualifiers, including 2021 state runners-up Kankakee — a 2-0 Nazareth win in the season opener — and St. Rita. Quarterback Logan Malachuk and multitalented receiver Justin Taylor are an effective pass-and-catch combo. Glenbard South (7-2) also has a potent passing game led by quarterback Michael Champagne (1,703 yards, 26 TDs) and receiver Cam Williams (44 catches, 882 yards, 13 touchdowns), a Notre Dame recruit.

Saturday

Class 8A: Lockport at No. 6 Glenbard West, 1 p.m.

As its 5-4 record indicates, it’s been an up-and-down season for defending 8A champ Lockport. The Porters lost 34-3 to 3-6 Sandburg but also beat Bolingbrook 34-33. Hyatt Timosciek, a 6-6 tight end, committed to Northern Illinois this week. Glenbard West (8-1), whose only loss was to unbeaten West Suburban Silver champ York, is built to go deep into the playoffs with a big, experienced offensive line led by Wisconsin commit Chris Terek, some productive backs and a typically stingy defense.

Class 6A: No. 15 Prairie Ridge at Crystal Lake South, 1 p.m.

Two weeks after Prairie Ridge (8-1) escaped with a 48-41 win, the neighborhood rivals meet again. Prairie Ridge quarterback Tyler Vasey had 301 of his 334 rushing yards and all five of his touchdowns after halftime in that game. Nathan Greatham is another proven runner for the Wolves. Caden Casimino passed for 296 yards for Crystal Lake South (5-4), which has scored at least 30 points six times this season.

6A: Kenwood at Perspectives, 1 p.m.

Kenwood (6-3) has plenty of talent, especially on the defensive side. Senior defensive backs Kahlil Tate and Kiwaun Davis are committed to Iowa and Western Michigan respectively, edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot’s 24 offers include Notre Dame and five from the SEC, and linebacker K’Vion Thunderbird has 17 offers, four from the SEC. Perspectives (8-1), which finished second behind Hyde Park in the Red South-Central, is in the IHSA playoffs for the first time since 2012 and the second time in program history.

Class 5A: Morgan Park vs. Fenwick at Gately, 5 p.m.

Morgan Park (8-1) has lost only to unbeaten Simeon and has been pointing toward this season as its best chance in years to make a deep state playoff run. Junior Tysean Griffin is a dynamic talent on offense, defense and special teams who has 14 offers from the likes of Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois. Sophomore Jovan Clark has 10 offers, including Maryland and Syracuse. Fenwick (5-4) graduated 16 starters from last year’s 5A championship team, including most of its offensive firepower. One player to watch is sophomore edge rusher Nathaniel Marshall, who picked up his first offer this week from Kent State.

Class 4A, Hyde Park vs. Johnsburg at Gately, 1 p.m.

Hyde Park (9-0) qualified for the IHSA field for the fourth straight season and is seeking its first state playoff victory. The Thunderbirds mostly run behind a pair of sturdy two-way linemen: 6-foot, 330-pound senior Aaron Matthews and 6-2, 325-pound junior Sedrick Washington. When Hyde Park does throw the ball, keep an eye on 6-6 tight end Maasai Gibson. Johnsburg (5-4), in the state playoffs for the first time since 2018, averages more than 35 points a game and allows more than 31 points a game. Sophomore quarterback AJ Bravieri has passed for 2,023 yards and 22 touchdowns.

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