Bears running back D’Andre Swift, who has battled a groin injury for weeks, was ruled out for Sunday’s game in Cincinnati.
Rookie Kyle Monangai will start in his place.
Swift, who has never missed a game as a member of the Bears, didn’t practice all week because of the groin injury. He missed one day per week leading up to the Bears’ last two games, saying he felt pain during the win against the Commanders.
“He’s a tough guy —I mean, he wants to be out there competing and playing for his teammates,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said. “He wants to win games, help his team win games. A little bit for us is we got to protect him from himself too. We talked early in training camp that at some point this season, you’re not going to be feeling good. You got to be able to play at a high level, despite being 80, 85% of how you normally feel, and he’s at that spot right now. So I think he’s gonna pay dividends for us down the stretch here.”
The Bears also ruled out receiver Luther Burden (concussion), running back Roschon Johnson (back) and defensive end Dominique Robinson (ankle).
Monangai, a seventh-round rookie from Rutgers, has 42 carries for 186 yards this year. In the last two games, though, he’s run 20 times for 105.
Tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who missed last week’s game with back and shoulder injuries, respectively, will play.
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