The Bears rushing attack will look different Sunday in Cincinnati as starter D'Andre Swift has been ruled out with a groin injury.
Swift did not participate in any of the three practices this week. Coach Ben Johnson told reporters Friday morning that the injury has "been a chronic thing for a while now."
"I think it goes probably earlier than [the Commanders game] that he's been feeling something," Johnson said. "And so we're just doing our due diligence to make sure that we're getting the best version of Swift to help this team, for him and his individual success. We just want to make sure that we have him in a good spot for the whole season.
"It's a week-to-week deal with where he's at. But he understands, he's a tough guy. I mean, he wants to be out there competing and playing for his teammates. He wants to win games, help his team win games. A little bit for us is we got to protect him from himself, too."
Along with Swift, running back Roschon Johnson (back) has been ruled out Sunday. With Swift out and Johnson missing his second straight game, rookie Kyle Monangai will see expanded playing time against the Bengals.
The Rutgers product has appeared in all seven games for the Bears and has seen an uptick in reps the past few weeks, with his most productive outing coming Oct. 19 against the Saints when he rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
Monangai told reporters Friday that starting is "what I've been working for," so his preparation throughout the week has remained the same. Now with the opportunity to see the field on a more consistent basis, Monangai hopes to showcase his ability through all four quarters Sunday.
"My mission in a way is to tire the defense out, to try to get them to not want to tackle me anymore, the way I'm attacking them downhill," Monangai said. "It allows me to feel the game better. Eventually once I get a feel for what they're doing that day and who I can attack more and what I can do, I feel like I get better as it gets going."
Rookie Luther Burden III (concussion) and defensive end Dominique Robinson (ankle) have also been ruled out for Sunday. Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (knee) is questionable after practicing in full all week. He has not yet been activated off injured reserve.
Both sides of the ball did receive positive injury news going into Sunday's game, as tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, both of whom missed last Sunday's contest in Baltimore, will return in Cincinnati. When asked about Stevenson's status, Johnson joked about the energy throughout the secondary in practice this week.
"I would say the first thing I noticed, not just about Tyrique, but about the whole secondary, is they're a little bit louder right now," Johnson said. "Between [Jaquan[ Brisker, C.J. [Gardner-Johnson] and Tyrique out there all at the same time, I hear them. He looks good. He looks like his normal self, so excited to see that group compete here this weekend."
