D'Andre

Swift

Monangai was involved early after his Week 9 explosion against the Bengals, but ceded the clear RB1 role to D’Andre Swift in the second half as Swift returned from a groin injury. Monangai, who had an inside-the-ten touchdown in the first quarter, ceded almost the entire pass-catching role to Swift, who caught five of his eight targets on the day. Monangai will be a top-30 option next week against the Vikings.

Swift split the backfield workload with Kyle Monangai in the first half but took over as the clear lead back in the second half. Monangai ended his day with seven rushes for 28 yards and a red zone touchdown run; he was targeted once but did not have a catch. Swift logged 26 pass routes to 17 for Monangai. Swift appeared recovered from the groin injury that sidelined him last week against the Bengals. He’ll be a decent RB2 in Week 11 against the Vikings, a run funnel defense.

Swift will return as the presumed lead back in Week 10 after missing Week 9 against the Bengals. Rookie RB Kyle Monangai was already encroaching on Swift’s once-solid workload before Swift’s injury. Monangai went for 172 rushing yards last week against the Bengals, and looked impressive throughout. Both Chicago backs are viable 12-team fantasy plays against a Giants defense that has been gashed on the ground in 2025. Bears declared QB Case Keenum, DB Josh Blackwell, TE Stephen Carlson, WR Jahdae Walker, LB TJ Edwards, and DL Dominique Robinson inactive against the Giants.

Swift missed Friday’s practice with a personal issue after practicing in full on Thursday, but it would appear he’s good to go after his lingering groin issue finally cost him a game in Week 9. The problem for Swift and his fantasy managers is that Kyle Monangai, who had already been pushing close to 50 percent of the Bears’ snaps, went off in his absence. This could be a much more evenly split backfield going forward, especially if Swift is not 100 percent healthy. Then again, maybe Swift will immediately resume his normal role. Both backs find themselves inside the top 30 for Week 10.

Listed only with a groin injury, Swift was limited on Wednesday and practiced in full on Thursday. He did not practice on Friday, but was shown with a non-injury-related personal listing alongside the groin issue. No word yet on whether the personal matter will impact his availability, but he was seemingly on track to play as of Thursday afternoon. Bears No. 2 RB Kyle Monangai could have a significant role once again this weekend. Stay tuned.

“One guy, if he’s feeling it and giving us a spark, we might lean on that a little bit longer,” Johnson said when asked about how he’d divvy the carries. That would, on paper, seem to be an invitation to Kyle Monangai to be a bigger part of the backfield this week. Monangai’s ceiling inches up and he has a low-end RB2 case despite Swift’s return based on this view of the backfield.

Swift is now seemingly on track to play in Week 10 against the Giants. Soon, we will find out whether the Bears’ running back rotation has changed after No. 2 RB Kyle Monangai’s 198-yard, three-catch showing with Swift sidelined in Week 9. Ranking both players on the RB2/3 borderline seems prudent, barring actionable commentary provided by the coaching staff.

Kyle Monangai was limited with an ankle injury, though that is likely a precautionary measure by the Bears. Swift had been playing through the groin issue for weeks before it finally caught up with him ahead of Week 9. He failed to practice once and the team ruled him out before the weekend. Monangai drew the start and ran 26 times for 176 yards, easily besting Swift’s high-water mark for the year. The breakout performance could flip the backfield split for Week 10, or Ben Johnson could revert to Swift as the top option if he is healthy. Both backs will likely sit in the RB3 ranks versus the Giants if Swift is cleared.

In addition to Blackshear, the Bears also hosted Israel Abanikanda, Montrell Johnson, and ShunDerrick Powell. Starting running back D’Andre Swift did not play in Week 9 due to a groin injury, leading to Kyle Monangai having a monstrous 29-touch workload in a win over the Bengals. The Bears may be evaluating their options should Swift miss more time, looking to add depth. None of the four backs were signed, but a situation to watch as the week of practices unfolds.

The Bears will be without their lead back for the first time in 2025. That leaves rookie RB Kyle Monangai as the team’s default RB1 against one of the worst rush defenses in the NFL. Monangai, who has 20 carries over his past two outings, should be in every 12-team league fantasy lineup today, facing a Bengals defense allowing 133 rushing yards per game this season. Burden’s absence should mean more routes and targets for Olamide Zaccheaus.