Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai has missed the last four weeks due to a toe injury. However, he returned to practice on Friday, albeit in a limited capacity. Monangai did not practice earlier in the week, so while he is listed as questionable, the odds of him playing this week are not high.
Chicago Bears expect Kyle Monangai Back Soon
Head coach Ben Johnson weighed in on his status and noted that he is right around the timeline they projected for him to return. However, it might be just a touch delayed.
“Getting better,” said Johnson when asked about the status of the second-year running back. “So, it's like I said last time we brought him up, each injury is a little bit different, and you try to get a timeline, an approximation of what you think it could be, and some guys come back a little bit sooner; some guys take a little bit longer.”
The Bears thought a minimum stay on the IR would be needed for Monangai but it looks like he will be missing his fifth straight game in Week 9. Johnson noted that the toe is just not responding quite as fast as they thought.
“So, those toe injuries, those can be fickle at times, and that's what this one's proved to be,” added Johnson.
The Bears have a bye next week. Considering the team opened his practice window, the expectation is for them to activate him in the next two weeks. Johnson said he hopes that is the case.
“I'm hoping every week,” added Johnson. “I'm hoping every day and every week he'll be back out there for us.”
The Bears have gone 3-1 without Monangai. However, that has less to do with the loss of the running back and more to do with the Bears being 3-0 since Caleb Williams returned to start at quarterback for the team.
The thought is that the team could reach another level with Monangai healthy, and the offense already thriving.
Monangai had 169 rushes for 783 yards as a rookie. He had 60 rushes for 324 yards in his second season. His yards per attempt, success rate, and yards per game were all up. That was with two of the four games he played involving a backup quarterback.
The Bears would host the New Orleans Saints in Week 11 after the bye week.
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