The Chicago Bears are ready to begin their new season against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, but it hasn't taken the injury bug long to rear its head. A handful of Bears are already dealing with injuries in Week 1, including running back Roschon Johnson, who's been hampered with a foot injury since the summer that forced him to miss Thursday's practice.
Unfortunately, Johnson's absence continued with another missed practice on Friday, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. The veteran RB potentially missing Week 1 would likely see an increased workload for rookie Kyle Monangai behind RB1 D'Andre Swift, as well as a potential opportunity for a journeyman on Chicago's practice squad.
Bears RB Brittain Brown Could Be in Line for Playing Time in Week 1
With Smith being the only healthy RB in the Bears' room (Monangai was limited on Friday), Cronin suggests that Brittain Brown could be elevated from the practice squad before Monday's collision. The former UCLA Bruin was signed by Chicago on Aug. 11 before being cut and sent to the practice unit following last month's 53-man roster deadline.
Brown is somewhat of a journeyman, having also spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks since being drafted 250th overall in 2022. Much to his dismay, the Canton, GA native has struggled to find a permanent home since then, and hasn't played a single regular-season game since he played 61 special teams snaps with the Raiders as a rookie.
Nevertheless, Brown did show some potential in his two preseason appearances with the Bears. He tallied 16 catches for 73 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 17 before posting 27 yards on 13 catches against the Kansas City Chiefs five days later. While not the flashiest performance, it was enough to earn head coach Ben Johnson's trust.
Practice squad players are allowed three elevations per season, so a potential promotion on Monday would leave Brown with two more after that. In other words, whether he's the RB2 or RB3, the ex-UCLA product must capitalize on every opportunity given to him. Not only would that gain him some fans in the moment, but also open the door to potential elevations — or even a 53-man roster contract — down the line.
With the Bears looking to start the Ben Johnson era on the right path, it's time for Brown to prove he's more than a journeyman RB.