LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears are currently grappling with injuries to their running back corps, a situation that could impact their performance as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season. D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, both key players in the backfield, are facing health issues that the team is closely monitoring.
Monangai, who was a surprising standout during his rookie season, is now considered week to week due to a leg injury sustained during practice on August 16. His absence is a significant blow to the Bears, who are coming off their first NFC North title since 2018 and are looking to build on that success. Swift, another crucial component of the Bears’ rushing attack, left Thursday’s padded practice early, holding his left side after a promising run in the challenging heat and humidity.
As the Bears gear up for their season opener against the Carolina Panthers on September 13, the health of their running backs is paramount. Last season, under the guidance of head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears finished third in the NFL in rushing yards, amassing 2,456 yards with an impressive average of 4.9 yards per carry. Swift contributed significantly to this success, rushing for a career-high 1,087 yards and scoring nine touchdowns, while Monangai added 783 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie campaign.
In light of these injuries, the Bears are looking to their remaining running backs for support. Roschon Johnson, who is currently on the 53-man roster, will likely see an increase in his workload. Johnson, selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Texas, has had a mixed start to his career. He rushed for 352 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, but struggled last season with just 17 yards on two carries in seven games.
Offensive coordinator Press Taylor expressed confidence in Johnson’s abilities, noting, “I think Roschon is a guy that really had a great finish to camp here, somebody that earned a lot of trust through the last couple of weeks.” Johnson’s performance in the preseason, including 15 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown in a 24-15 victory against the Tennessee Titans, has reinforced the coaching staff’s faith in him.
In addition to Johnson, the Bears have Roschon Johnson, Salvon Ahmed, and Zavier Scott available in the backfield. Ahmed, who is 27 years old, has also shown promise during the preseason, highlighted by a 49-yard touchdown reception in the exhibition opener against the Cleveland Browns. Scott, also 27, was recently signed by the Bears after being waived by the Minnesota Vikings and is still acclimating to the team’s playbook.
“We’ll continue to see as Sav gets healthier and Zavier gets here and starts to learn schemes,” Taylor commented. “He’s going to be more learning game plans, then you hope by the middle of the year he starts to understand exactly what the offense is all about.” With the season rapidly approaching, the Bears will need to navigate these injuries effectively to maintain their competitive edge in the NFC North.
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