Kyle

Monangai

Monangai’s continued participation is a good sign, but soft tissue injuries can be finicky. It would be really nice to see him practice in full tomorrow. If that is indeed the case, Monangai can be started as a high-upside FLEX. Continue monitoring his status. The Bears list RB Roschon Johnson as the next player up.

Beginning the week with a limited session is typically a decent sign. The fact that this is a new soft tissue injury makes it an injury worth watching, though. Monangai totaled 124 yards and one touchdown on just 12 touches last week after nursing a knee injury for much of August. As long as he continues practicing, this should not be an issue.

Monangai didn’t see much involvement when the game was in doubt. Once the Bears took a commanding lead, he split the backfield workload with D’Andre Swift and piled up most of his production on one carry: A 61-yarder right up the middle against an abominable Carolina front seven. Monangai led the backfield in routes and targets. Much of that involvement came after the Bears took a big lead, however. He’ll be an iffy flex play in Week 2 against the Vikings.

Chicago’s offensive line bullied the Carolina front seven from start to finish, creating wide open running lanes for Swift and Kyle Monangai, who had ten carries for 100 yards and a touchdown, as the Bears offense put up 59 points. Swift was the team’s preferred option near the goal line while Monangai had a slight edge in route running out of the Chicago backfield. Swift drafters should be thrilled to see their guy easily lead the Bears backfield, though his relative lack of route running could mean he’s somewhat game script dependent. Swift will be a top-12 option next week against the Vikings.

After missing a few weeks of practice with a hyperextended knee he suffered in camp, Monangai was back at practice on Monday to begin prepping for Week 1’s game against the Panthers. Monangai’s status will be worth checking when the Bears release their first injury report on Wednesday, but it sounds like he’ll have a chance to play this week barring any setbacks. In addition to Monangai, D’Andre Swift, who left last Thursday’s practice with cramps, also returned to the field.

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.