LAKE FOREST, Ill. – When Garrett Wolfe’s reps at running back dwindled last season, he reinvented himself as a special teams standout, leading the Bears with 21 tackles despite missing three games.

A year later, Wolfe’s greatest contributions could come back at his natural position as he moves up to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart following a season-ending injury to backup Kevin Jones.

Running back Garrett Wolfe was selected by the Bears in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft.

“I’m very ready,” Wolfe said. “This is my third year. I played more my rookie year as a running back than I did last year. But it’s something I embrace and something I’m excited about, and I can’t wait for the opportunity.”

After joining the Bears as a third-round draft pick in 2007, Wolfe rushed for 85 yards on 31 carries and caught nine passes for 117 yards as a rookie. 

But last season in a crowded backfield that included rookie Matt Forte, Jones and veteran Adrian Peterson, Wolfe was limited to 69 yards on 15 attempts, with 38 of those yards coming on a fake punt against the Buccaneers.

Wolfe probably wouldn't have played a whole lot on offense again this season, but that changed last Thursday night when Jones tore ligaments in his left ankle in the preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns. Now the former Northern Illinois star knows that both he and Peterson will be asked to help fill the void.

“It’s a great opportunity for not only me but for Adrian as well,” Wolfe said. “I’m very excited, and that’s the only thing that’s changed. I’ve prepared myself for these types of situations. So has Kevin and so has Adrian. The only thing that’s changed is just the increased opportunity that Adrian and I will have.”

Having played in 13 games in each of his first two NFL seasons, Wolfe feels better equipped than ever to produce both as a ballcarrier and pass receiver out of the backfield.

“I think I’m a more intelligent football player,” he said. “My understanding of the game, the speed of the game, little nuances to put myself in better situations … those are things that I’ve picked up.”

Wolfe excelled in the preseason, rushing for 65 yards on 13 carries and catching six passes for 53 yards. He hopes to pick  up where he left off Sunday night when the Bears open the regular season in Green Bay against a revamped Packers defense that’s now employing a 3-4 scheme.

“Thus far, with the preseason included, this will probably be the best defense that we’ve played against,” Wolfe said. “They fly to the ball. They’ve got a lot of physical guys out there.

“The 3-4 presents a lot of problems just in [pass] protection schemes. The way guys line up, you don’t know who’s coming off the edge or which edge guy’s coming, so it presents a lot of problems as far as being able to pick it up.”

Wolfe is confident that he’ll be able to handle his increased responsibilities Sunday night in Green Bay and beyond thanks in part to what he’s learned from his position coach.

“Tim Spencer does a very good job of preparing us for everything that can come,” Wolfe said. “He doesn’t just prepare me for my role as a third-down guy, he prepares me for my role as being an every-down guy. I think with all the preparation that he’s giving me and I’ll continue to get, I’ll be fine.”

Wolfe isn’t bothered by whispers he hears from outsiders wondering if the Bears should sign a running back because he and Peterson aren't competent backups for Forte.

“My response to that is I remember last year people questioning if a rookie could handle the load, and I think Matt answered that pretty well,” Wolfe said.

“Granted, I may be a little unproven because of a lack of experience at that position at this level. But Adrian’s a guy who’s done it at this level. I think the only thing that could be an adequate question is that I’m unproven doing it at this level. But I think with time everyone will see that I’m more than capable of getting it done.”

Roster move: The Bears on Monday filled the eighth and final spot on their practice squad by signing offensive tackle James Marten. Chosen by the Cowboys in the third round of the 2007 draft, Marten was inactive for all 16 games as a rookie. He was then claimed off waivers by the Raiders before Week 2 of the 2008 season and appeared in one game. Marten was released by Oakland during final cuts Saturday.