Will D'Andre Swift play against the Vikings? Latest injury update on the Bears RB and the status of the team's banged up backfield
The Chicago Bears are looking dangerously thin at a key position group heading into the weekend following Friday's latest injury report.Starting running back D'Andre Swift was listed as questionable for Monday's game with a groin injury but he was able to return to practice for the first time on Saturday. Backup running back Roschon Johnson, […]
The Chicago Bears are looking dangerously thin at a key position group heading into the weekend following Friday's latest injury report.
Starting running back D'Andre Swift was listed as questionable for Monday's game with a groin injury but he was able to return to practice for the first time on Saturday. Backup running back Roschon Johnson, however, will not play due to a concussion.
Interim head coach Thomas Brown seemed pretty confident on Saturday that he expects Swift to play against the Vikings barring any setbacks.
Nevertheless, the Bears' backfield is shaping out to be in rough shape if something happens that forces Swift to not suit up by Monday night.
Outside of Swift and Johnson, the Bears only have one other running back on the active roster in Travis Homer and even he was listed on the report with a head injury this week, even though he was still a full participant in each day of practice.
Swift was dealing with the same groin injury heading into Week 14's matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The team's top back was questionable going into the weekend but managed to play and was on the field for 79% of the team's offensive snaps. Swift had 14 carries for 38 yards and 1 reception for 2 yards in the loss.
Johnson suffered a concussion in the Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions in Week 13 and missed the team's previous game. Safety Jaquan Brisker and offensive lineman Ryan Bates are also dealing with concussions of their own this week.
With Swift banged up and Johnson out last week, the Bears elevated Darrynton Evans from the practice squad and he played four offensive snaps against the 49ers. Evans got 3 carries for 3 yards while Homer caught 3 passes for 11 yards.
If Swift is unable to suit up, Homer would be the starter for the Bears with Evans likely getting a second consecutive elevation. Here's what interim head coach Thomas Brown had to say about Homer's ability and impact last week.
“I obviously have a long history with Travis,” Brown said. “I recruited Travis at Miami and coached him for three years, so definitely he’s always been dependable. He will take a bigger role as far as being more involved than the normal.”
As for the rest of the final injury report, defensive tackle Gervon Dexter (knee) will not play on Monday. As for some good news, defensive backs Josh Blackwell (shoulder) and Elijah Hicks (ankle) did not have an injury designation going into the weekend despite each missing some practice time during the week.
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