Roschon

Johnson

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 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.

The Steelers have defended the run well in recent weeks, but the Bears’ rushing attack is averaging the sixth-most yards per carry (4.8) and the offensive line is generating the second-most yards per carry before contact (1.8). Swift is ready to rock as an RB2, operating as the Bears’ lead rusher in Week 12. Nos. 3 and 4 RBs Roschon Johnson (thumb) and Travis Homer (hamstring/knee) have both been ruled out.

Swift can be counted on once again this weekend. The Bears’ starting running back continues to churn out usable stat lines despite the nagging hip issue. No. 3 RB Roschon Johnson continues to be a non-factor in an injury-plagued season, and this week is no different. After missing Week 8 with a back issue, Johnson is now nursing a thumb injury. Fellow backup RB Travis Homer (hamstring/knee) was downgraded to a DNP and a limited session on Wednesday. Expect Swift and Kyle Monangai to operate as usual.

He did not practice at any point this week and looks to be questionable for Week 9 as well. His absence further helps Kyle Monangai, as it keeps the RB2 carries from getting divvied up. Johnson has barely played all season while dealing with a foot injury for the entirety of the preseason — he’s been active for just five games and has only two carries.

Swift is once again on track to play through a nagging soft tissue issue, though the injuries have not meaningfully impacted his productivity. The Bears’ running back has finished as the half-PPR RB6 and RB5, respectively, over the last two weeks. He can be safely expected to handle another fantasy-friendly workload against the Ravens this weekend. Bears No. 3 RB Roschon Johnson (back) remains sidelined.

Swift played through this issue last week and ran for 124 yards and a score on 19 attempts. The team managed his reps in practice but didn’t have any issues with him hitting 20 touches on Sunday. It’s possible the groin injury is getting worse, or this could just be a maintenance day. Thursday’s practice will be more revealing. Fantasy managers will need to make contingency plans if Swift remains out tomorrow. With Roschon Johnson also missing practice because of a back issue, Kyle Monangai could be in line for a massive workload this week. Mongangai should be rostered in all fantasy formats.

This is unfortunate. Monangai reportedly entered the Bears’ Week 5 bye with a clean bill of health, so it is unclear as to when this injury occurred. The rookie running back won the No. 2 role behind D’Andre Swift in training camp. If he is unable to return in time for his team’s Monday Night Football game against the Commanders this week, No. 3 RB Roschon Johnson could get an opportunity to fight for the primary backup job.

Making his season debut, Johnson’s lone box score appearance came via a special teams tackle. Not great considering the 52-21 final. The Bears prioritized getting rookie Kyle Monangai the ball during garbage time. Johnson is looking miles from fantasy relevance in 12-team re-draft leagues.

It remains something of a mystery how highly the new coaching staff thinks of Johnson since he’s been sidelined for the entirety of training camp with this foot injury. He got in a full practice on Friday for the first time this week. We’d tentatively expect him to be behind Kyle Monangai in the pecking order at running back for Chicago, but we can’t really say that with any certainty. Johnson operated as a goal-line back for the Bears last year and looked better than D’Andre Swift, so that’s a role he could claim if he has the coaching staff’s trust.