Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai is expected to be available this week despite a thumb injury that forced him out of the final minutes of Sunday’s win.
Coach Ben Johnson said the issue is not considered serious after the second-year back left the 23-12 victory over the New York Jets.
“We think he’s going to be OK,” Johnson said. “We’ll see what it looks like as we go through the week here, but more of a day-to-day type deal.”
Monangai finished that game with 30 carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns before sitting the last four minutes. He also caught his only target for four yards.
Through four games he leads the Bears with 324 rushing yards on 60 attempts, an average of 5.4 yards per carry, and three scores. He has added five receptions for 39 yards.
Starter D’Andre Swift has 311 yards on 69 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt with three touchdowns of his own. The two have formed the core of Chicago’s ground game.
The Bears rank among the league’s most productive rushing teams early in the season, averaging well over 190 yards on the ground per game. Monangai’s efficiency has stood out even in a shared backfield.
The 5-foot-8, 207-pound back was a seventh-round pick out of Rutgers in 2025. As a rookie he ran for 783 yards and five touchdowns on 169 carries across 17 games.
Imaging on the thumb showed nothing overly concerning, according to team evaluations shared with reporters. That has kept the injury in the day-to-day category rather than a longer absence.
Chicago improved to 3-1 with the win at Soldier Field. The Bears sit second in the NFC North behind the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.
They travel to Lambeau Field on Sunday to face the Green Bay Packers, who are 2-2. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Eastern.
Monangai had already dealt with a knee issue in training camp that briefly limited him, yet he returned and has carried a heavy load in the regular season. His longest run this year has gone for 61 yards.
Swift lost a fumble in the second half against the Jets and did not return, which opened the door for Monangai’s big workload. The coaching staff has shown a willingness to ride the hotter hand between the two.
Practice participation this week will determine whether Monangai is limited or full when the Bears open preparation. Johnson indicated the team will monitor him daily rather than rule him out.
A full or near-full role would give Chicago its preferred two-back look against a Packers defense that has struggled to contain the run at times this season. The Bears have leaned on that approach while managing other roster questions at quarterback.
