Brace yourselves Chicago Bears. It's the news everyone has been expecting, but hoping it wouldn't be true.
Bears running back D'Andre Swift's good luck with playing each week on the groin injury is officially over as he has been ruled out of the Week 9 showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals. Chicago's final injury report also shared that wide receiver Luther Burden III (concussion), running back Roschon Johnson (back), and Dominique Robinson (ankle) will also be out of the game.
The only injury in question is linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga who is still dealing with the knee injury that initially landed him on the IR. Ogbongbemiga was a full participant in all three practices this week.
Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett was a new addition to the injury report, but it was for him resting for the final practice. Jarrett is still expected to start against the Bengals.
Adding some good news to the report is that Chicago's top three receivers, Rome Odunze (heel), DJ Moore (hip/groin), and Olamide Zaccheaus (knee), all have no injury designation as they fully practiced in the final workout. Tight end Cole Kmet is also good to play after missing the Bears' 30-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
All the concern is surrounding the Bears' running back situation
Rookie seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai is slated to make his first career NFL start after serving as Swift's backup all season. Travis Homer will be the backup to Monangai, with Johnson also out.
Monangai and Homer actually make for an intriguing one-two punch, as Monangai is more of a downhill runner, while Homer can use his speed to break off some big runs. Watch for Homer to be the third down back for the Bears while Monangai carries the rock on first and second down.
Thankfully, Caleb Williams will have most of his receivers for the game and get Kmet back. Burden's loss is tough since he's more of the screen play guy on the offense, but Zaccheaus can take that over and still give Williams plenty of weapons to throw it to.
One other good note from the injury report is Tyrique Stevenson returning from his shoulder injury and will be starting once again. Stevenson will join Nahshon Wright and newcomer C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the corners and hopefully be able to handle Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins well.
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For the most part, the Bears are in a solid position to step up and have a good portion of the team available. The two big questions surround the corners and whether Williams can carry the offense without Swift.