The ascending Chicago Bears have a big test ahead of them on Monday night against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in a huge matchup on paper. Expectations are even higher in Chicago after the Bears' blockbuster trade for All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Unfortunately for the Bears, they will have to topple the reigning champs without one of their best offensive weapons.
Second-year running back Kyle Monangai, who is still recovering from his respective turf toe and thumb injuries suffered in early October, will miss his fourth straight game against the Seahawks. With a Week 10 bye just around the corner, the Bears are electing to give the powerful running back as much time to heal as possible, rather than push him
to possibly return too early and exacerbate his injuries.
But what does that mean exactly for Monangai's return timeline for the Bears? Honestly, it seems pretty straightforward.
Ben Johnson indicated RB Kyle Monangai will not play this week against Seattle.
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) October 31, 2026
"I would count him out this week," Johnson said.
Final injury report is out later today.
With the tailback missing Monday night, I'd guess he will also miss the Bears' home Sunday night game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next weekend. The Bears will then have their bye and come back for a home game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, November 22nd. That is most likely when we will see Monangai return to the Bears' lineup, with the running back having enjoyed roughly seven weeks of rest by that point.
It stinks for the Bears that Monangai, one of their most dependable offensive players, will likely miss approximately 30 percent of the regular season. But the Bears are in the business of competing for a Lombardi Trophy now. That means playing the long game to ensure that Monangai is as healthy as possible for the stretch run and the postseason at all costs.
Who is Kyle Monangai's backup on the Bears?
Technically speaking, Monangai is the Bears' backup running back to regular starter D'Andre Swift. The Bears like to use a platoon system when they have both talented runners available. Monangai's absence lately has meant that Swift has taken greater responsibility in Chicago's backfield, with veteran Roschon Johnson occasionally filling in.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: When will Kyle Monangai come back to the Bears?
