Monangai (knee) back practicing on Monday

Well, this is a pleasant update. Swift was seen leaving practice earlier today, “apparently holding at his midsection or core area.” After a brief scare, everything appears to be fine for the Bears’ starting running back. Swift enters 2026 as a safe RB2, playing in an expectedly efficient and explosive offense. Backfield mate, RB Kyle Monangai (knee), is currently rehabbing an injury, but last we heard, he has a chance to play in Week 1 against the Panthers. Swift could vault into a top-12 positional ranking if Monangai is unable to play.

According to Hammond, Swift “came off the field apparently holding at his midsection or core area” after taking a carry during team drills. Bears coach Ben Johnson labeled No. 2 RB Kyle Monangai (knee) as “week-to-week” on August 18th, though it was believed Monangai would have a chance to play in Week 1 against the Panthers. If Monangai is active and Swift is sidelined, Monangai would be a high-end RB2 at worst.

Monangai suffered a hyperextended knee in practice and was expected to miss multiple weeks per reports. This statement is well in line with that conclusion. It sounds like Monangai has a good chance to be ready for the regular season and this shouldn’t grievously wound his fantasy football draft stock.

Monangai suffered a right knee injury when he was tackled from behind by Grady Jarrett on Sunday. Despite earlier reports that Monangai would be fine, he’s now set to miss multiple weeks with a hyperextended knee, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Roschon Johnson would be in line to serve as the primary backup to D’Andre Swift for the first few weeks if the Bears don’t bring in another running back.

According to Schefter, initial tests indicate Monangai’s knee is structurally sound. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI to confirm the results, but it sounds like Monangai avoided suffering a consequential injury. This is great news for the second-year back, who warrants standalone FLEX treatment if his knee checks out. Starting RB D’Andre Swift can easily shoulder a few extra touches if Monangai needs to be eased into action next month.

According to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, Monangai “got tangled up” with DT Grady Jarrett when the injury occurred. The second-year running back was able to walk off the field and into the locker room under his own power. The fact that the cart was not needed might be a good sign, but unfortunately, we are simply in wait-and-see mode for the time being. Bears RBs Roschon Johnson and Brittain Brown sit on the depth chart behind him. Starting RB D’Andre Swift could absorb a big chunk of Monangai’s workload if he misses time.

“I want more than (the Super Bowl),” Johnson told The Athletic. “I want to have the highest-scoring offense ever, which happens to be the 2013 Denver Broncos. I know how many points per game they scored (37.9), and I want to surpass them. I want shutouts. I want blowouts.” It’s enough to make a fantasy manager hyperventilate. The Caleb Williams-led Bears would have a long way to go if they are to eclipse the legendary 2013 Denver offense led by Peyton Manning — an offense that supported a range of viable to high-end fantasy options. Chicago last season ranked ninth in points per game (25.9), just behind the Colts. The Bears ranked tenth in points per offensive snap and 14th in red zone touchdown rate. If the Bears are to somehow challenge the 2013 Broncos, Johnson would likely need to call a far more pass-heavy game than he did in 2025, when the Bears were among the run-heaviest offenses in the NFL. If Johnson is indeed intent on maximizing points, everyone from Williams to Colston Loveland to D’Andre Swift to Rome Odunze to the injured Luther Burden could be major fantasy factors in 2026.

He missed four training camp practices while dealing with the injury, but it seems that this won’t be a long-term hinderance. He can be drafted with confidence, or at least as much confidence as you can find in backs in a timeshare, in fantasy leagues.

We still don’t know the specifics of Monangai’s injury, but Johnson said the team is “taking it day-by-day” with the second-year back and that his absence “should be on the shorter side.” While it doesn’t sound like the team is overly concerned at this point, it is worth pointing out that Monangai hasn’t practiced since last Wednesday. We’ll see if he can return to the field before the end of this week.

It’s very early in training camp and we aren’t really concerned at this point, but it is a bit alarming that Monangai’s injury has kept him out this many practices in a row. Cronin points out that Monangai is the only player not practicing who isn’t on the PUP or NFI lists. We’ll keep an eye on this one.