The Chicago Bears are looking to improve to 6-3 when they take on the New York Giants, and a big factor could be their running game. The Bears were dominant on the ground in last week’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals with 283 rushing yards, and the performance was more impressive considering the absence of starting running back D’Andre Swift.
Swift missed last week’s win against the Bengals with a groin injury, and it was uncertain whether he would be ready to go when the Bears host the Giants on Sunday. But according to The Athletic’s Dan Wiederer, that won’t be something to worry about as Swift was back at Wednesday’s practice and perhaps ready to chip into Chicago’s newfound success on the ground.
D’Andre Swift’s Return Gives Bears Good Problem After Kyle Monangai’s Breakout
Swift’s return couldn’t come at a better time for Chicago. The Bears mauled the Bengals on the ground on Sunday behind rookie running back Kyle Monangai’s 176 rushing yards. That success opened up the passing game and allowed Caleb Williams to throw for 280 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner to Colston Loveland in the fourth quarter.
The Giants are also a smash spot for that success to continue. New York enters Week 10 allowing the second-most rushing yards per game (150.0) this season, and Monangai’s emergence could allow Swift to reduce his workload and stay fresh.
Of course, that might be a problem for Swift. The 26-year-old racked up 464 yards and four touchdowns on 100 carries this season but didn’t find his stride until posting back-to-back 100-yard performances in an Oct. 13 win over the Washington Commanders (108 yards) and an Oct. 19 win over the New Orleans Saints (124 yards, TD).
Swift added another touchdown the following week against the Baltimore Ravens, but it may be concerning that Chicago didn’t miss him when they took on Cincinnati.
Needless to say, this creates some questions going forward. Swift could retain his starting role and relegate Monangai to the backup role, or Johnson could finally dust off the two-back game plan he used during his time with the Detroit Lions when Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery were big contributors.
There’s also a big question of how healthy Swift is, as the Bears worked out several running backs on Tuesday, although that could also be tied to the status of third-string running back Roschon Johnson.
How Swift will be used is a question that still remains. But for now, his availability is a question that the Bears don’t have to worry about.