At this time last year, Langford was seen as the heir apparent to Matt Forte. He had enjoyed a solid rookie season in 2015 in which he totaled 706 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns over the final eight games. But Langford's second year was a disappointment. He ran for only 85 yards on 28 carries in the Bears' first two losses, then suffered a high right ankle sprain in Week 3 that never truly went away. Langford, according to a league source, had surgery on the ankle this offseason and has been slow to recover, raising questions as to how soon he will be ready in the preseason. And now he's relegated to a backup role after Howard's emergence.