The Bears could have used bruising running back Michael Bush on a few key short-yardage downs Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

Strangely, Bush was in uniform, although he never played.

"He was in uniform, but we were only going to use him if we had to," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "Still wasn't quite ready to go."

The decision is puzzling, since the Bears had two goal-line runs and a critical third-and-one in the game.

But with Bush still nursing injured ribs, the Bears are expected to re-sign Kahlil Bell today, according to a league source.

After the Bears released him, Bell briefly landed on the roster of the New York Jets. On the season, he had one catch for two yards but lost a fumble.

Backing up Matt Forte, Armando Allen had two carries for five yards and one catch for 15 yards Sunday against the Packers.