After the Chicago Bears beat the Washington Commanders in Week 6, running back D'Andre Swift surfaced on the injury report with a groin injury. He was listed as questionable and played against the New Orleans Saints in Week 7, finishing with 19 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown in that game.
Heading into Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens, it was the same routine with Smith limited in practice on Thursday and Friday before being listed as questionable and suiting up. The results weren't as good (11 carries for 45 yards), but he scored on the ground in a second straight game.
Heading into Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Swift's second practice participation changed, as he was listed as a non-participant. That automatically fueled some concern about his availability for the Bengals game, which ultimately led to him being ruled out.
Ben Johnson acknowledges how D'Andre Swift's injury has to be managed
After overlapping with him for three seasons with the Detroit Lions, Johnsons knows Swift's history of nagging injuries. The workload Swift had early in the season was not sustainable anyway, and this groin issue has led to rookie Kyle Monangai seeing more work over the last couple games.
Johnson spoke to reporters before their final practice, and he was asked if Swift's injury is a continuation of the injury he suffered against the Commanders.
"It's really been a chronic thing, for a while now", Johnson said. "I think it goes...probably earlier than D.C. (the game against the Commanders) that he's been feeling something. We're just doing our due diligence to make sure we’re getting the best version of Swift.”
Johnson was later asked if Swift might have to be "backed off" at some point.
"We'll see", Johnson said. "It's a week-to-week deal with where he's at. He's a tough guy, he wants to be out there competing...I know, that, a little bit for us is we gotta protect him from himself."
"We talk early in training camp that, at some point in the season, you're not gonna be feeling good. You gotta be able to play at a high level despite being, 80-85 percent of how you normally feel. He's at that spot right now."
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Over the last two games, the Bears have clearly been carefully managing Swift's injury. He has 30 carries to Monangai's 20, and he only has a slight edge in offensive snaps (68 to 60 for Monangai). That plan is clearly going to continue, with Johnson making it clear that holding Swift out for a game was a consideration before, and they decided to play that card in Week 9.