Bears News
Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift will miss Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a groin injury. The team officially ruled him out Friday after the 26-year-old did not practice all week. Swift has been managing the groin issue for several weeks. He appeared on injury reports before the Bears’ last two games but participated in limited Thursday practices ahead of both contests. This week marked a departure from that pattern. Swift missed Wednesday’s practice and remained sidelined Thursday and Friday.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson addressed Swift’s absence Friday, explaining the decision to hold him out. Johnson said the coaching staff needed to protect Swift from himself and ensure his availability for the remainder of the season. The coach noted Swift is playing at roughly 80 to 85 percent of his normal capacity.
Swift has not missed a game since joining the Bears in 2024. Through seven games this season, he has recorded 464 rushing yards on 100 carries with four touchdowns. He has added 16 receptions for 166 yards.
Kyle Monangai Fantasy Impact
Rookie running back Kyle Monangai will start in Swift’s place Sunday. The seventh-round pick from Rutgers has carried the ball 35 times for 162 yards and one touchdown this season. His most productive game came in Week 7 against New Orleans, when he rushed 13 times for 81 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown.
Monangai arrived in Chicago after a standout college career at Rutgers. He rushed for 1,279 yards in 2024, earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors. He led the conference with 1,262 yards in 2023 and was named Second-Team All-Big Ten that season. Over five seasons with the Scarlet Knights, he appeared in 52 games and recorded 3,221 rushing yards with 27 touchdowns.
The 5-foot-8, 207-pound running back set a Rutgers program record by never fumbling across 669 career carries. General manager Ryan Poles praised Monangai’s character and physicality after drafting him. Johnson identified Monangai as a player who impressed during minicamp in June, noting his attention to detail and his ability to absorb the playbook quickly.
Monangai served as a two-time team captain at Rutgers. He hails from Roseland, New Jersey, and attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School. Sunday represents his first career start and his most significant opportunity at the professional level. He will handle the majority of Chicago’s backfield work against Cincinnati.
The Bengals rank 30th in the NFL in points allowed per game at 31.6. Cincinnati has surrendered 1,057 rushing yards through eight games, the most among teams that have played eight or fewer contests.
The Bears also ruled out wide receiver Luther Burden with a concussion, running back Roschon Johnson with a back injury, and defensive end Dominique Robinson with an ankle injury for Sunday’s game.
Chicago enters Week 9 with a 4-3 record after losing to Baltimore 30-16 in Week 8. The Bears had won four straight games before that defeat. Kickoff Sunday at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati is scheduled for 1:00 PM Eastern Time.
