Chicago Bears veteran running back D’Andre Swift is coming off his best game of the season in Week 6, as he racked up 175 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown on 16 touches vs. the Washington Commanders.
It was a much-needed performance from Swift, as the Bears have been viewed as a team that could acquire a running back at the trade deadline. But for at least one week, the veteran RB quelled the trade chatter.
Nonetheless, fans can’t wait to see what Swift does for an encore performance against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. However, they were shocked to see his name on the injury report on Thursday, listed as limited with a groin injury.
On Friday, Bears head coach Ben Johnson told reporters that Swift wasn’t injured in practice on Thursday, and he’s hopeful the veteran running back will play, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
- Update (Oct. 17, 3:04 p.m. ET): ESPN's Courtney Cronin reported that Swift will be active against the Saints, and that any missed time this week was "more of a product of maintenance than anything else."
Ben Johnson Sheds Light on D’Andre Swift’s Injury Status for Week 7
The fact that Swift didn’t get injured is a good sign, but you do wonder if he picked up the injury during Monday night’s game, which had some inclement weather.
The last time we saw the veteran running back on the injury report was before the Bears’ Week 4 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Swift was dealing with a hip injury and was listed as a limited participant for the three days of practice.
The Bears ultimately ruled Swift as questionable, but he played in the game, recording 60 yards from scrimmage and a rushing touchdown on 18 touches. It will be interesting to see what the team’s final injury report says about Swift’s potential availability.
If he cannot go or is limited in any fashion, the Bears will likely lean on the duo of rookie Kyle Monangai and third-year running back Roschon Johnson. Monangai has recorded 81 rushing yards on 22 carries (3.7 YPC) in five games.
Meanwhile, Johnson finally saw his first offensive snaps of the season on Monday night, which caught a lot of fans off guard. The former fourth-round pick had one carry for six yards, and that was all he got.
Ben Johnson won’t be able to give Roschon Johnson just one carry, as it would be asking a lot for Monangai to shoulder the workload. Regardless of whether Swift plays or not, it’s a favorable matchup for the Bears’ offense, as the Saints’ defense is giving up 114 rushing yards per game and 126 yards per game on the road this season.