Bears' Kyle Monangai: Outplayed by Swift but scores again
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Monangai rushed 12 times for 23 yards and a touchdown while catching his only target for 14 yards in Sunday's 19-17 win over the Vikings.
Monangai scored a one-yard rushing touchdown to give the Bears a 7-3 lead in the second quarter, one play after setting up the goal-line opportunity with a powerful six-yard run to convert on third-and-4. He ceded most of the rushing opportunities to D'Andre Swift (21 carries for 90 yards) for the second straight game since Swift returned from a one-game absence due to a groin injury, but Monangai has scored a touchdown in both of those games. Monangai should continue to play a complementary role, including some short-yardage opportunities, in Week 12 against the Steelers.
Bears' Kyle Monangai: Gets seven touches to Swift's 18
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Monangai rushed seven times for 28 yards and a touchdown while failing to catch his only target in Sunday's 24-20 win over the Giants.
Monangai broke out for 198 scrimmage yards against the Bengals in Week 9 but was outplayed by D'Andre Swift (groin) in Swift's return from a one-game absence in Week 10. The rookie seventh-round pick out of Rutgers opened the scoring with an eight-yard touchdown run in the first quarter but was out-touched, 18-7, by Swift. Head coach Ben Johnson may be attempting to replicate the backfield formula he used as the Lions' offensive coordinator the previous couple seasons, with the 5-foot-8, 207-pound Monangai providing power inside a la David Montgomery while Swift's used in a more versatile role like Jahmyr Gibbs. Swift is still the top option for the Bears, but Monangai should remain involved in Week 11 against the Vikings.
Bears' Kyle Monangai: 'Hot hand' may determine workload
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Coach Ben Johnson said Friday that he believes "in a guy having the hot hand," which may sway the RB pecking order between Monangai (ankle) and typical No. 1 option D'Andre Swift (groin/personal) on Sunday against the Giants, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports. "One guy, if he's feeling it and giving us a spark, we might lean on that a little bit longer," Johnson added.
With Swift absent this past Sunday at Cincinnati, Monangai took full advantage of the opportunity, reeling off 198 yards from scrimmage on 29 touches. That would indicate Monangai has the so-called "hot hand" at the moment, and while both he and Swift followed up limited sessions Wednesday with full listings one day later, Swift didn't practice Friday due to a personal concern and is listed as questionable for Week 10 action. The Bears have a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday, meaning Swift's status will become known about 90 minutes prior to that. In any case, Monangai is slated to be a part of Chicago's backfield this weekend, but how large his workload may be remains to be seen.
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Bears' Kyle Monangai: Tending to ankle issue
Rotowire
Monangai was limited at practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury.
Monangai filled in for an absent D'Andre Swift (groin) this past Sunday in Cincinnati and rolled a leaky Bengals defense to the tune of 198 yards from scrimmage on 29 touches. He's now dealing with a health concern of his own, and both Monangai and Swift operated with a cap on their reps to begin Week 10 prep. The situation bears watching as the week continues to see who among the duo will be available Sunday versus the Giants.
Monangai (ankle) was a full practice participant Thursday.
Monangai had a cap on his reps Wednesday during the Bears' first Week 10 session, but his ability to participate fully in Thursday's practice clears the way for the rookie to play Sunday against the Giants. While D'Andre Swift (groin) missed his first game of the season in Week 9, Monangai stepped in seamlessly as the Bears' starting running back in a 47-42 win over the Bengals, finishing with 198 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 29 touches. Swift also practiced fully Thursday and should return to a starting role this weekend, but Monangai may have nonetheless earned himself a larger share of the touches and snaps out of the backfield than he had previously occupied on the heels of his big performance.
