Monangai Clutches Knee, Leaves Bears Practice Early
Bears Rookie Running Back Kyle Monangai Leaves Practice With Knee Injury
Quick Summary: Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai hurt his right knee during Sunday’s practice. Early signs are hopeful, but doctors need to run more tests. This is a big deal because Monangai is the main backup to starter D’Andre Swift.
What Happened at Practice?
On Sunday, the Bears held a practice session with about half the roster participating. This practice came roughly 24 hours after the team’s preseason win against the Cleveland Browns.
During a drill, Monangai got tangled up with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Important detail: players were not wearing full pads — this was a lighter practice.
Monangai went down clutching his right knee. Teammates immediately showed concern, especially Jarrett. A trainer examined him on the field, and Monangai walked to the locker room under his own power — a positive sign.
Quote from the Locker Room
"Hopefully it’s nothing too crazy significant. But football is football. It’s tough."
— Joe Thuney, Bears Guard
Who Is Kyle Monangai? (ELI5 Version)
Think of Monangai as the "insurance policy" for the Bears’ running game. Here’s his story in simple terms:
- Draft Status: 7th-round pick (one of the last players selected) from Rutgers University
- Rookie Season (Last Year): Surprisingly awesome!
- 169 carries (times he ran the ball)
- 783 rushing yards
- 1 start — and in that game, he exploded for 176 yards in a win over the Bengals
- Current Role: Backup to starter D’Andre Swift
Important Context: The "Durability Duo"
Last season, Swift and Monangai were incredibly durable. Between the two of them, they handled all but 8 carries for Bears running backs. That means if Monangai misses time, the drop-off to the next guy is steep.
The Running Back Depth Chart (Why This Matters)
| Position | Player | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | D’Andre Swift | The clear #1 guy |
| Primary Backup | Kyle Monangai | Currently injured |
| Next Options | Roschon Johnson | Led team in carries/yards in Saturday’s game |
| Salvon Ahmed | Scored a 49-yard TD on a screen pass Saturday | |
| Coleman Bennett | Largely unknown | |
| Brittain Brown | Largely unknown |
Translation: If Monangai can’t play, the Bears are relying on unproven players behind Swift. That’s risky!
What Happens Next? (Step by Step)
- Further Testing — Monangai will get MRI/X-rays to see exactly what’s wrong
- Diagnosis — Doctors determine severity (sprain? tear? bruise?)
- Timeline — Team announces how long he’ll be out (days? weeks? months?)
- Roster Decisions — If long-term, Bears might sign a free agent or trade for help
- Practice Reps Shift — Johnson, Ahmed, Bennett, and Brown get way more practice reps
Key Takeaways
Good News
- No pads = less force on impact
- Walked off under own power
- "Initial indications promising" per team source
- Preseason game was yesterday — starters barely played anyway
Concerns
- Knee injuries are tricky (can look fine then swell up later)
- Monangai took almost all backup carries last year
- Behind him = major question marks
- Season starts soon — limited time to develop replacements
Summary
Kyle Monangai, the Bears’ #2 running back, hurt his right knee during a non-padded practice drill on Sunday. He tangled with Grady Jarrett, walked off with a trainer, and early reports are optimistic but cautious.
This matters because Monangai and starter D’Andre Swift handled 99% of running back carries last year. The guys behind Monangai (Roschon Johnson, Salvon Ahmed, Coleman Bennett, Brittain Brown) are largely unproven. The team awaits further medical testing to know the true severity and timeline.
FAQ
How bad is a "right knee injury" usually?
It varies wildly. Could be a minor sprain (1-2 weeks), a bone bruise (2-4 weeks), or a ligament tear (months). The fact he walked off is encouraging, but only an MRI tells the real story.
Why weren’t they wearing full pads?
NFL rules limit padded practices to protect players. This was likely a "shells" practice (helmets + shoulder pads only) — standard for the day after a game.
Can Roschon Johnson or Salvon Ahmed handle the backup job?
Maybe! Johnson led the team in rushing Saturday. Ahmed scored a long TD. But preseason games ≠ regular season. Defenses are simpler, tackling is sloppier. We won’t know until they face real NFL speed consistently.
Would the Bears sign someone if Monangai is out long-term?
Almost certainly. General Manager Ryan Poles loves adding competition. Expect a veteran free agent signing or a trade if the injury is serious.
When will we know more?
Usually within 24-48 hours. MRI results + coach’s press conference = the real update. Keep an eye on Bears official channels Monday/Tuesday.
Stay tuned for updates — and go Bears!