The Chicago Bears haven’t been bitten too badly by the injury bug on offense so far this season, outside of Braxton Jones’ knee issue. Unfortunately, in the NFL, that doesn’t last forever. News broke this week that Kyle Monangai, their promising young running back, is dealing with turf toe. His status was up in the air as a result. On Friday, it was made official. Monangai would not play against the Green Bay Packers, being called “week-to-week” by head coach Ben Johnson. The timing of this is tough with such an important game on Sunday.
Monangai just had 146 yards and 2 touchdowns last week against the New York Jets. He’s played so well to start the season. It was hoped he’d continue that streak against Green Bay. Now people are nervous about what to expect. They shouldn’t be.
D’Andre Swift is still in the lineup. Fumble issues aside, he’s also played very well to start this season. Even better? He seems to play some of his best football against the Packers. In 5 games against them, he’s averaged 4.26 yards per carry with 3 touchdowns.
| Date | Week / Game | Result | Rushing Stats | Receiving Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 17, 2024 | Week 11 | Packers 20, Bears 19 | 14 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD | 2 receptions, 13 yards |
| January 5, 2025 | Week 18 | Bears 24, Packers 22 | 20 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD | 0 receptions, 0 yards |
| December 7, 2025 | Week 14 | Packers 28, Bears 21 | 13 carries, 63 yards | 3 receptions, 19 yards |
| December 20, 2025 | Week 16 | Bears 22, Packers 16 | 13 carries, 58 yards | 2 receptions, 12 yards |
| January 10, 2026 | NFC Wild Card | Bears 31, Packers 27 | 13 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD | 2 receptions, 38 yards |
| TOTALS | 5 Games | Bears lead 3-2 | 73 carries, 311 yards (4.26 YPC), 3 TD | 9 receptions, 82 yards |
No Kyle Monangai at least simplifies things.
Unless head coach Ben Johnson is prepared to give Roschon Johnson 10-12 carries in this next game, it feels like the obvious decision is to lean heavily on Swift. Typically, the Bears prefer to split their carries to keep both backs fresh. However, there have been instances in which he has received a legitimate bellcow workload. He’s had 20 or more carries in a game four times as a member of the Bears since joining them in 2024 and seven times in his career. He averaged better than 4.0 yards per carry in four of those games.
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It’s not like Swift is incapable of logging heavy snaps. Despite his 5’8″ frame, he’s tougher than he looks. The key for the Bears is ensuring he isn’t taking a constant beating at the line of scrimmage. That means good, consistent blocking up front. You can also help out by using Johnson in short-yardage situations. He does well there thanks to his strength and size, and would ease the amount of hits Swift takes. Sort of a slightly reduced role that Kyle Monangai played last season.
One must trust Johnson in this situation.
The Bears’ head coach has already proven that he can handle losing key personnel on offense. That includes the starting quarterback. He isn’t afraid to lean more heavily on somebody else in the lineup, but also isn’t afraid to give no-name guys an opportunity. Swift went down with an injury in 2022 that cost him three games. While he was out, Jamaal Williams got the bulk of the carries, but Johnson also sprinkled in 20 carries from backups Craig Reynolds and Justin Jackson.
He won’t be afraid to give Roschon opportunities, and also whoever the Bears decide to elevate from the practice squad for Sunday. Monangai will be missed. He’s a good player and a key part of this offense. Smart money says he won’t be out long. That said, the Bears must adjust. If their solution is to give the rock to Swift and ride him? It isn’t a terrible strategy given his history with the Packers.
