Peterson had the Bears' longest run in Thursday's victory over the Saints with a 9-yard scamper. For the season, he actually has a higher yards-per-carry average (5.4) than any other Bears running back. But Peterson has just 15 carries.

The Bears might need him in the last two games, although rookie Matt Forte should be fine coming off a toe injury.

"I'm always ready," Peterson said. "I'm seven years in it. [There's] no defensive front I haven't seen. I know it all."

The Bears entered the season counting on Forte's every-down ability and using Kevin Jones as the backup. Peterson's value on special teams helped him gain a step on Jones.

When he wasn't getting a look at running back early, Peterson refused to pout.

"That's life," Peterson said. "I'm married and I have kids. At the end of the day, I'm getting paid. That's how you have to look at it."

Road to recovery: Defensive back Brandon McGowan, who tore a ligament in his left ankle against Carolina in Week 2, made a rare locker-room appearance Monday and sounded uncertain about his Bears future.

"I'm just waiting to see how this injury comes along," McGowan said. "I don't think I can be concerned with my future here. I'm just trying to get healthy to get back on the field, period."

McGowan had surgery in September and was in a cast for about three weeks, then began rehabbing.

He entered training camp as the starter at strong safety but lost his spot to Kevin Payne. McGowan played some as a nickel back before suffering the season-ending injury.

Payne's emergence and the continued development of Danieal Manning as the nickel back would leave little room for the oft-injured McGowan next season.

Cornerback Nathan Vasher also was in the locker room Monday, wearing a hard cast to protect his fractured right hand.