RADIO
D'Andre Swift Poised for Strong Week 1 Showing
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift begins his 2026 campaign with an appearance against the hosting Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Week 1. The seventh-year pro was unable to finish practice last week due to cramping, but he's ready to roll in a potentially juicy outing for the Bears' rushing attack. Carolina's defense was fairly sound a season ago in most aspects, although they could be had on the ground. Moreover, they were one of the best matchups for opposing running backs in fantasy, yielding the seventh-most points per game to the position (22.4). Despite Carolina bolstering its unit during the offseason and the fact that he'll likely split work with backfield mate Kyle Monangai, Swift sits in a favorable position to continue capitalizing on the dearth of talent around him and the offensive genius that is head coach Ben Johnson. If quarterback Caleb Williams remains on an upward trajectory, we could see yet another jump in production from the group as a whole. Swift lands as RotoBaller's RB14 in PPR leagues ahead of Sunday's contest.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
D'Andre Swift Lands Three-Year Extension
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift is sticking around for a while. Swift and the Bears have agreed to a three-year, $33.75 million extension with $27.5 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter. He was entering the final season of the three-year deal he signed with Chicago in 2024, so there had been some uncertainty about what came next. Not anymore. Swift is coming off his best rushing season, finishing 2025 with 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns on 223 carries while adding 34 catches for 299 yards and another score. Kyle Monangai earned plenty of work himself as a rookie, and that part of the backfield isn't suddenly going away because of this deal. Still, giving Swift this much guaranteed money is a pretty clear sign that Chicago wants him around beyond 2026. His immediate redraft outlook remains in the RB2 range, but the extension gives dynasty managers considerably more security than they had entering the week.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Roschon Johnson Could Step Into Week 1 Role
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson could have a larger role as a backup to D'Andre Swift because of an injury to Kyle Monangai (knee). Johnson has been impressive in camp amidst Monangai's injury struggles and even earned the eye of new offensive coordinator Press Taylor. Ariana Pensy of the Bears Wire wrote about Taylor's praise of Johnson this off-season, writing, "As Kyle goes down and Roschon's numbers increase and he got more opportunities, he proved to us that he's trustworthy. He can be in those situations if it comes down to it where we need him to carry a heavier load than we expected while being involved in special teams. That's something he's done well." Monangai reportedly returned to practice on Monday but is dealing with a hyperextension of his right knee. Should Monangai miss time, the Bears have faith in Johnson as a backup.
Source: Bears Wire, USA Today
Source: Bears Wire, USA Today
D'Andre Swift Returns to Practice on Monday
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (abdomen) was back at practice on Monday, according to The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs. The Bears held a brisk, 50-minute practice session, but it was good to see both Swift and Kyle Monangai (knee) back on the field. Swift was pulled from last Thursday's practice early with abdominal cramps, so the 27-year-old should be just fine for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Monangai's status is a bit more uncertain after he suffered a hyperextended knee back on Aug. 16 in training camp. If Monangai is out or limited, Swift could see an even larger piece of the backfield pie to kick things off against Carolina this weekend, making him a must-start low-end RB1/high-end RB2 option as Chicago's starting RB. Swift finished as the RB14 in half-PPR scoring last year, producing 1,087 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 223 carries while adding 34 receptions for 299 yards and another score through the air in 16 regular-season games. Swift could have an even better year in 2026 if the Bears' offense can take another step forward in head coach Ben Johnson's second season in the Windy City.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
Kyle Monangai Back at Practice on Monday
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (knee) was back at Monday's practice, according to Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune. It was a brisk, 50-minute practice, but it is notable that Monangai was back on the field. Backfield mate D'Andre Swift said that Monangai "looked good" while doing some running before last Wednesday's practice following a hyperextension of his right knee in training camp practice back on Aug. 16. The 24-year-old was being considered week-to-week as early as last week, so although he has returned to practice on Monday, it is not a guarantee that he will be active for Sunday's Week 1 season opener against the Carolina Panthers. But with Swift also returning to practice on Monday, the Bears' backfield is looking much healthier entering the season opener. When fully healthy, Monangai, a seventh-rounder last year, will continue to be the primary change-of-pace option behind Swift after he recorded 783 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 169 carries in 2025 as a rookie. If Monangai is active on Sunday, he should be viewed as an RB4/flex option at risk of being on a snap count. If Monangai is inactive against Carolina, Roschon Johnson is expected to serve as the backup to Swift.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs
D'Andre Swift is Dealing with a Cramp
According to Adam Schefter, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (abdomen) left early during Thursday's practice due to a cramp. Swift was reportedly in significant discomfort when he was forced to leave due to abdominal cramping. This is not good news for the Bears, who are already without Kyle Monangai (knee) right now. The hope is that this is a day-to-day issue for Swift and that he'll be back before the season opener. If not, Roschon Johnson could be a popular waiver wire pickup over the next few days. Fantasy managers will need to stay tuned for more updates on Swift.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Kyle Monangai Does Not Practice on Thursday
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (knee) missed another practice on Thursday, according to Zack Pearson of 247 Sports. Monangai suffered a hyperextended right knee in training camp practice on Aug. 16 and was deemed week-to-week earlier this week, but the good news is that the 24-year-old "looked good" while running on a side field on Wednesday, per starting RB D'Andre Swift. Monangai's status for Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 13, is firmly up in the air, and with Swift suffering an undisclosed injury of his own in Thursday's practice, Chicago's backfield is banged up with the regular-season opener closing in. With the statuses of both Monangai and Swift now in question, Roschon Johnson is becoming a bit more popular for some potential short-term value in Chicago's offense against Carolina in Week 1. Monangai produced an impressive 783 rushing yards and five rushing scores on 169 carries as a rookie after being taken in the seventh round out of Rutgers, but when Swift is healthy, he will continue to be the clear RB2 with little pass-catching upside. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 42 fantasy RB for the 2026 campaign.
Source: 247 Sports - Zack Pearson
Source: 247 Sports - Zack Pearson
D'Andre Swift Suffers Undisclosed Injury in Practice
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (undisclosed) left on Thursday in the final stages of the Bears' padded practice and appeared to be in "significant discomfort" as he went inside the tent, according to Dan Wiederer of The Athletic. Sean Hammond of The Chicago Tribune reports that Swift exited toward the end of a full team period after carrying the ball on the offense's own one-yard line. He came off the field apparently holding his midsection or core area. Head coach Ben Johnson will not meet with the media again until next week, so we may not have many details on Swift's injury until the Bears release their first official practice report next Wednesday in preparations for Week 1 of the regular season. When fully healthy, Swift is the clear lead back for a Bears offense on the rise, giving him clear high-end RB2 potential in fantasy football leagues. However, his injury on Thursday will make him a bit of a question mark until we learn the extent of his injury. Backfield mate Kyle Monangai (knee) is also week-to-week with a hyperextended knee and may not be available for Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, potentially thrusting Roschon Johnson into the lead-back role if Swift cannot play.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Wiederer
Source: The Athletic - Dan Wiederer
Roschon Johnson Finishes Camp Strong, Could Play a Role in Chicago
Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor said that running back Roschon Johnson finished training camp strong and that the team can "trust him if someone goes down with an injury," per Zack Pearson of 247 Sports. Johnson appeared in just seven games in 2025 due to injury issues and has played a limited offensive role in his NFL career to this point, recording 519 rushing yards across 36 career games. However, he's excelled in short-yardage situations, which could lead to him stealing some touchdowns from Bears running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai (knee). Additionally, Monangai's status for the start of the regular season is unclear as he battles a hyperextended knee. In deeper leagues, Johnson could be worth stashing in a bench spot should Monangai miss time.
Source: 247 Sports - Zack Pearson
Source: 247 Sports - Zack Pearson
Kyle Monangai Does Some Running on Wednesday
Updating a previous report, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift said that Kyle Monangai (knee) did some running at practice on Wednesday and looked good, according to Adam Hoge of CHGO Bears. Monangai did not practice with the rest of the team, though, and is considered week-to-week after hyperextending his right knee in training camp practice on Aug. 16. It is a positive sign that Monangai is doing some running, but it sounds like he still has some hurdles to clear before being cleared to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener next Sunday. If Monangai does not suit up for the season opener, Roschon Johnson would be in line for RB2 change-of-pace duties behind Swift against the Carolina Panthers. Monangai, a seventh-rounder last year out of Rutgers, carried the ball 169 times for 783 yards and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in 2025 as a rookie, but he caught only 18 passes for 164 yards. The 24-year-old will continue to be involved in head coach Ben Johnson's offense behind Swift, but his lack of pass-catching abilities limits his fantasy upside, especially in PPR formats. RotoBaller has Monangai ranked as the RB42 for 2026.
Source: CHGO Bears - Adam Hoge
Source: CHGO Bears - Adam Hoge
Kyle Monangai Still Not Practicing
Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (knee) remained out of practice Wednesday, according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times. Monangai has not practiced since hyperextending his right knee during an Aug. 16 session, when he got tangled with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Head coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday that Monangai remains week-to-week, so his continued absence is not unexpected. The second-year back rushed for 783 yards and five touchdowns on 169 carries as a rookie, adding 18 catches for 164 yards. Chicago opens the season Sept. 13 at Carolina, leaving Monangai less than two weeks to get back on the field. His Week 1 status remains uncertain, and D'Andre Swift would be in line for a heavier workload if Monangai can't go.
Source: Jason Lieser
Source: Jason Lieser
Kyle Monangai Week-to-Week With his Knee Injury
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson said that running back Kyle Monangai (knee) is more week-to-week with his knee injury, according to Mason Williams of NWI.com. Monangai suffered a right-knee injury in training camp practice on Aug. 16 and is still no closer to returning to the field, which is bad news for his availability for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Carolina Panthers. If the 24-year-old is not available to start the year, Roschon Johnson will be the favorite for change-of-pace backup duties behind starter D'Andre Swift. Monangai's injury makes Swift a more appealing RB2, at least in the short term. After being taken in the seventh round last year from Rutgers, Monangai impressed with 783 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 169 carries in 17 regular-season contests, adding only 18 receptions on 30 targets for 164 yards as a receiver. His knee injury and lack of receiving skills out of the backfield are causing him to slip on fantasy draft boards, and RotoBaller has Monangai ranked as the RB40 for the 2026 season. Despite his injury, Monangai is still the handcuff for Swift managers.
Source: NWI.com - Mason Williams
Source: NWI.com - Mason Williams
D’Andre Swift Could See a Bigger Workload in 2026
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson recently told reporters that seventh-year running back D’Andre Swift is "primed for a big year," and in putting together a final 53-man roster projection, The Athletic's Dan Wiederer suggests that enthusiasm could lead to an expanded workload in 2026. Swift had a career year a season ago in his reunion with Johnson, and with Kyle Monangai (knee) potentially limited to begin the year, and the Bears favored in five of their first six games, Swift could emerge as an early-season bell cow. Johnson has credited running backs coach Eric Studesville with helping Swift see the game better, and with the pieces coming together for a hot start to the year, Swift is a player to target in 2026 drafts as RotoBaller's RB17.
Source: Dan Wiederer
Source: Dan Wiederer
Kyle Monangai's Redraft Value Fading Amidst Current Injury Absence
After an encouraging rookie season in 2025 in which he recorded 783 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 169 carries across 17 games, Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (knee) entered training camp as one of the buzzier names in fantasy circles. Unfortunately, Monangai is currently sidelined after suffering a hyperextended knee during a camp practice. While Monangai is lucky to have avoided significant structural damage and could even return in time for the start of the regular season, he will have missed a significant chunk of the summer. The missed time matters for Monangai because he entered camp competing for touches with veteran Bears running back D'Andre Swift. Swift has been a steady player since signing with Chicago before the 2024 season, recording over 2,700 scrimmage yards and 16 touchdowns across 33 games with the team. Given his injury situation, Monangai seems likely to be Chicago's true RB2, at least early in the year. He still carries upside as a handcuff and stash option, but Monangai's stand-alone value in redraft leagues is in question entering 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
D'Andre Swift Could Follow His Career Year with Another Strong Start
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift has often been criticized for being a better athlete than NFL running back, but in his 2025 reunion with head coach Ben Johnson, he showed improved patience and better vision, leading to the best season of his career. Swift had the sixth-highest rushing success rate in the league on his way to an RB15 fantasy finish, and his ceiling could be even higher in year two of Johnson's Bears offense. Second-year player Kyle Monangai (knee) is dealing with a hyperextended knee, and with Chicago favored in five of its first six games, Swift has the opportunity to get off to a white-hot start in his seventh season. At RotoBaller's RB18, he is a player to target in the middle rounds of drafts who could see his value rise early in the year, presenting the opportunity to later flip him as a potential sell-high candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
