Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe) not practicing Thursday

Monangai is currently in a walking boot and is considered week-to-week, per head coach Ben Johnson. Monangai reportedly consulted a specialist for his turf toe after the injury was revealed to be worse than initially expected, but he is not considered a candidate for injured reserve at this time. Backup Roschon Johnson will be elevated to RB2 duties for the foreseeable future, but we wouldn’t expect him to see the same volume as Monangai, who has averaged 15 carries/gm through the Bears’ first four games.

We will get a better sense of Swift’s availability soon when the Bears release their final injury report of the week. After being a DNP in Wednesday’s practice, Swift was able to log a limited session on Thursday, which is a good sign for his availability with one practice left to go. Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe), who has yet to practice this week, could be at risk of missing Week 5, which could lead to a busy day for Swift, while Roschon Johnson would serve as the Bears’ RB2.

At the beginning of the week, Monangai’s thumb injury was the initial cause for concern. The team kept quiet about the toe issue until Wednesday’s injury report. Per Fowler, Monangai is hoping to play through the turf toe injury, but consecutive absences to begin the week put him on the wrong side of questionable. Given the Bears’ run-heavy tactics, RB3 Roschon Johnson is worth adding for running back-needy fantasy managers.

Bears coach Ben Johnson continues to indicate the Monangai will be good to go for Week 5, but it is worth monitoring the Bears’ practice reports. D’Andre Swift (knee/hip) was also sidelined to begin the week. If Swift is unable to play, Monangai would take on a sizable workload in Week 5 against the Packers.

Johnson did add, “He had 30 carries, and he feels like he had 30 carries.” Monangai will play in Week 5 versus the Packers, but it doesn’t sound like he will double up D’Andre Swift in carries for the second week in a row. Expect a more even split of the work this week, with Swift potentially returning to his normal lead-back role. Even with fewer carries, Monangai is locked in as a fantasy RB3.

Monangai seemingly winds up on the injury report every other week, but he keeps playing and keeps playing well. We wouldn’t be surprised to see him listed again this week, but it sounds like he’s very much in line to play against the Packers.

Swift was playing his usual lead back role in the run-first Chicago offense when he lost a fumble in the second half and did not return to action, ceding the backfield to Kyle Monangai, who ended the game with 30 rushes for 146 yards. Swift, who has been struggling with a knee injury, was stuffed twice at the goal line in the first half. It was looking like a big day against a gettable New York run defense. If Swift misses time, Monangai would be a must-play option in all formats. The Bears take on the Packers in Week 5.

Monangai played his usual role behind D’Andre Swift until Swift lost a fumble in the second half. Monangai then took over the Chicago backfield and gouged New York’s front seven time and again. The Bears, with Tyson Bagent under center, were massively run heavy, logging 49 rushing attempts on the day to 34 pass attempts. While we’re not sure if Swift was benched for the fumble or if he was struggling through his lingering knee issue, Monangai’s Week 4 performance could net him more opportunity in Week 5 and beyond. Swift’s practice status should be closely monitored throughout the week.

Swift popped up as a DNP on Thursday’s injury report, but Johnson said his RB1 will practice on Friday. We’ll see where things go from here, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Swift drew a questionable designation entering the weekend. Swift has rushed 54 times for 253 yards and three touchdowns this season while also catching eight passes for 68 scoreless yards. If he is unable to play in Week 4, Kyle Monangai would be firmly on the fantasy radar as a strong RB2.

Monangai has exactly 10 carries in all three games to start the 2026 season, which pales in comparison to lead back D’Andre Swift, the latter of whom has seen 19 or more opportunities in each game. The lack of volume relegates Monangai to handcuff status in fantasy circles for the time being, at least until bye weeks begin in Week 5. He’ll be a difficult start in Week 4 against the Jets.