The Chicago Bears fan base has been heavily concerned about the absence of rising star running back Kyle Monangai.
After just one practice with the team, Monangai was not seen in the next three practices. There was no explanation of what happened, leaving many to wonder what is going on with him and whether he is okay.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson finally added some much-needed context to the situation. Monangai is dealing with a soft-tissue injury, but it doesn't appear to be anything serious.
“We're taking it day-by-day,” Johnson said via ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. “It should be on the shorter side.”
Ben Johnson provides good news about Kyle Monangai
This was the good news Bears fans have been hoping for. It does leave some nervous about the idea of a soft-tissue injury again.
That injury has plagued the Bears' secondary over the last year. Cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon had soft-tissue injuries last season that cost them multiple games. Gordon is currently still dealing with it, missing the first part of training camp.
Chicago has been rolling with Salmon Ahmed as the backup plan so far. This has worked out well, with Ahmed praised early in camp for his performance and for showing off his explosiveness on the field.
Now the biggest question is how long this injury will keep Monangai out of training camp? With their recent experience with Gordon, this doesn't feel like a situation the Bears are going to rush. They are going to make sure he is 100% okay before putting him on the field.
Monangai is too important a piece of this Bears' offense to try and push him along too quickly. Last year, he ran for 783 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season after being just a seventh-round draft pick.
The Bears seem to still be okay at running back, though, without Monangai in the lineup. D'Andre Swift is the starter, and Ahmed is getting reps. They also have Roschon Johnson, Brittain Brown, and undrafted rookie Coleman Bennett all fighting for roster spots.
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It's a long training camp, and plenty of things can happen in the next four weeks before the roster gets trimmed to 53 players. The hope is that before then, Monangai will be 100% healthy, back on the practice field working out, or both.
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