The Chicago Bears didn't place Kyle Monangai on Injured Reserve, so watching him miss four consecutive games has been somewhat alarming. Even so, the team hasn't shared many — if any — updates about his situation.
Their latest roster moves and elevations hinted at a long-term issue. Even though he missed the last game, he was spotted back at the facility on Wednesday, and the team still hasn't placed him on IR, so he might be inching closer to getting back on the field.
That will work wonders for Ben Johnson's offense. Even in the wins, it's become painfully evident that Monangai is their best running back, and his absence has taken a toll on D'Andre Swift's efficiency, not to mention that Roschon Johnson isn't up for the task.
The Chicago Bears desperately need Kyle Monangai back on the field
The Bears rushed for 126 yards against the Seahawks' stout run defense, which is no small feat. That said, those numbers are somewhat misleading, as Kalif Raymond's 39-yard explosion was the only big run of the night.
Swift found paydirt three times, but he wasn't efficient in this one. He averaged just 2.6 yards per carry, turning 27 rushes into 69 rushing yards, and none of his carries went for more than seven yards. It's not on him, though, as Monangai wears out the defense to maximize Swift's elusiveness.
As for Johnson, he hasn't made the most of his opportunities to prove that he can also be a factor in this offense. He averaged 3.4 yards per attempt on five carries, but half of his production (9 of 17 rushing yards) came on the same carry.
He lacks the vision to find gaps in the defensive line and the strength and aggressiveness to make his way between the tackles. He's not a bruiser like Monangai, and every touch feels like a waste of a down.
Monangai might be inching closer to a return. Also, he may not have suffered a setback, and the Bears might be just erring on the side of caution with their second-year star. That said, the lack of information leads to speculation.
Fortunately, the Bears have managed to get by in his absence and still have the best running game in football. As such, this offense should be unstoppable when they get their hard-hitting ball-carrier back in the fold. Hopefully, that will happen as early as Week 9 vs. the Buccaneers.
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