The Chicago Bears are looking for their first win of the season after a fourth quarter lead-slip in the season opener was followed by a 30-point 52-31 clubbing at the hands of reigning, back-to-back NFC North champions, the Detroit Lions.
Until now, the lead running back on the team, D’Andre Swift, has also functioned as the only one receiving any touches outside of rookie seventh round pick, Kyle Monangai.
Now with Roschon Johnson back – although he did not manage a single carry in his actual “return” last weekend against the Lions – the load could start to be carved up more between the three.
D’Andre Swift Given Playing Status Designation
And this week, it could happen sooner than otherwise expected, as the Chicago Bears have designated Swift as officially “questionable” for Sunday’s bout hosting the Dallas Cowboys.
Swift joins linebacker, D’Marco Jackson on the “questionable” list, whilst starting cornerbacks, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon – along with linebacker, TJ Edwards – have been designated as “out” for this coming Sunday’s game.
Swift currently leads the Bears with 29 carries for 116 yards, averaging exactly 4 yards per carry. Monangai is the only other back to have also ran the ball, having managed 7 carries for 28 yards, for the same average per rush.
In fact, the team’s most dangerous threat in the run game has arguably been quarterback, Caleb Williams, who more and more has demonstrated his athleticism and ability to scramble and make plays outside of the pocket – especially when not attempting a pass.
Williams currently logs as the team’s #2 rusher with 11 carries for 85 yards, at 7.7 YPC.
How Will The Bears Configure Their RB Room If Swift Is Absent?
Head coach, Ben Johnson will be crossing his fingers and hoping that the team will have Swift available in what could be a very tight week 3 matchup.
The Bears are currently a very small, +1 underdog on the point spread, according to the betting markets, in a game that is essentially a 50/50 toss-up. So the availability – or indeed lack of – of Swift could make all the difference.
If he is not present, the Bears have two realistic options, Monangai and Johnson.
The jury is still out on Monangai, whose initial sample size is hardly enough to make a lasting judgement on the state of his rookie season.
For Johnson, the situation is a little more murky.
After a promising rookie season that saw the former fourth round pick rush for 352 yards and 2 touchdowns, in addition to catching 34 passes for 209 yards, Johnson was thoroughly unproductive in year two, averaging just 2.7 yards off of 55 carries for a total of 150 rushing yards – although he did manage a surprisingly high 6 TDs on the ground.
In light of the Bears’s RB room looking thinner than almost any other position group on offense, many believed that Johnson could be set for a bounce-back year under a new, offensive-minded HC in Ben Johnson, in which he would have an opportunity to split carries (to some extent) with Swift.
If Sunday’s loss to the Lions was any indicator, this could end up not turning into reality – especially as Monangai is now listed as the team’s second-choice back behind Swift on ESPN’s depth chart.
But if Swift does not manage to play on Sunday, Johnson could have a shot to stake his claim to be a real part of the Bears‘ run-game in 2025.
Bears Share Starting RB’s Playing Status Ahead Of Week 3