Many within the Chicago Bears' fan base now have major questions about running back Kyle Monangai's playing status for their Week 9 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. An interesting team decision might have already shown the Bears' hand regarding Monangai's status for the game.
Monangai has missed the last four games with a thumb and toe injury he suffered in the win over the New York Jets. Although he was never placed on IR, there has been a lot of attention on when he would return, with reports over the last two weeks saying that he was coming back soon.
That's what added a lot of intrigue going into the Buccaneers game this week, since the bye week for the Bears was coming up after the matchup, and whether that would impact their decision. One thing they did might have already shown what they will do with Monangai.
Kyle Monangai is questionable to play for the Bears against the Buccaneers
Over the last four weeks, Monangai hasn't practiced with the team since his injury, leaving a lot of mystery around it all. Before he got hurt, he was top-10 in the NFL in rushing yards with 324 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, which ranks third in the league.
One part of the insurance policy with Monangai out was the Bears signing running back Zavier Scott to the active roster and playing in the last four games while Monangai was out. Scott hasn't made an impact on the offense, but he was helping out on special teams and became a surprise ace for them.
This is where things get interesting, as Scott injured his wrist in the Week 8 win over the Seattle Seahawks. He originally showed up on the first Week 9 injury report with the wrist problem, but then the Bears decided to place him on IR.
Monangai was, of course, also on the first injury report and missed the first practice. He also missed the second practice, with every Bears fan bracing for him to be out.
Friday's practice completely changed everything, as Monangai was limited, and it made it official that this was his first workout with the team in nearly a month. He was then listed as questionable for the Buccaneers game, opening up a new can of worms.
So, what does Scott's injury have to do with this? Actually, it has everything to do with this and is very telling to what Monangai's real status is.
Bears' Zavier Scott decision shows that Kyle Monangai is leaning towards playing
After Scott was placed on IR, many Bears fans assumed that a running back would be signed to the roster to replace him. The obvious candidates would be Brittain Brown or Salvon Ahmed, since they are on the practice squad, so elevating them would make sense.
That never happened. No moves have happened as of this article's release. Usually, they would have done that by now if they didn't think Monangai was going to play.
All signs indicate at this point that Monangai has a very high chance of playing because D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson are the only backs on the active roster. If Monangai were to return, that would be massive for the Bears' backfield, which has missed him.
Before Monangai's injury, the Bears were averaging 196.3 yards per game on the ground. Since he has been out, Chicago has averaged 105.3 yards per game.
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It would be an understatement to say that the Bears need Monangai back in the lineup to help Swift and Johnson out. With no one replacing Scott yet, Chicago might be ready to see their 2025 seventh-round pick get some carries against the Buccaneers.
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