Chicago’s latest roster move has thrown a brighter spotlight on Kyle Monangai’s injury situation, and it doesn’t look especially encouraging.
The Bears signed running back Zavier Scott to the active roster from the practice squad on October 27, 2026, while releasing defensive back Nick McCloud. On its face, that’s a routine transaction. But given how Chicago has handled the last three games, it reads like a signal that Monangai may still be a ways off.
Monangai has now missed three games with thumb and toe injuries, and the toe issue is the one that matters most. He hasn’t practiced in three weeks because of it, and what was once framed as week-to-week is starting to feel a lot less imminent.
The Bears have gotten by with D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson carrying the load over that stretch. Still, Monangai’s absence has clearly been felt.
Before getting hurt, he was off to a strong start, sitting in the NFL’s top 10 in rushing yards. In four games, he ran 60 times for 324 yards and three touchdowns, and in two of those games he topped 100 rushing yards with a score.
The numbers point to a real difference when he’s on the field. With Monangai active, Chicago has averaged 176 rushing yards per game. Without him, that figure has dropped to 125.3.
Johnson has helped keep the ground game moving, and Monangai is not the only reason the run game has dipped - one of those games came without Caleb Williams at quarterback. But Monangai brings something the Bears need: burst to the edge and the willingness to hammer between the tackles when the play calls for it.
That’s why the timing of Scott’s promotion matters. If Monangai were close, Chicago might not need to reshuffle the backfield this way. And if he does return soon, the Bears will have to answer another question: what does that mean for the backs already active?
Swift has been dealing with injuries of his own over the last few weeks, including an awkward knee injury in the Bears’ Week 7 win over the New England Patriots. He finished that game and still looked effective, but it was also obvious he could use extra rest.
For now, the Bears are waiting on their first injury report to tell the real story. And if Monangai still isn’t close, this backfield situation may be more complicated than anyone expected.
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