The Chicago Bears are in the middle of a heated race for the NFC North title, but a major question now hangs over their offense. Star running back D’Andre Swift, a key weapon all season, was sidelined last week with a groin injury.
Now, with a critical Week 10 matchup against the New York Giants looming, a concerning update suggests his absence could be more complicated than initially believed.
What Does D’Andre Swift’s ‘Chronic’ Injury Mean for the Bears?
Swift has reportedly been playing through the groin injury for weeks, but sitting out his first game of the 2025 season raises red flags about his Week 10 availability. Before the team’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, head coach Ben Johnson provided a troubling update on the situation.
“It’s really been a chronic thing for a while now. I think it goes probably earlier than DC that he’s been feeling something. So we’re just doing our due diligence to make sure that we’re getting the best version of Swift to help this team, for him and his individual success. We just want to make sure that we have him in a good spot for the whole season,” Johnson explained.
Calling the injury “chronic” is a significant development for the veteran running back. According to Johnson, Swift has been dealing with the issue since before the team’s Week 6 game against the Washington Commanders. His ability to play through the pain for several weeks before finally sitting out in Week 9 suggests the problem has recently worsened.
Furthermore, the coach’s comments highlight the team’s new approach. Johnson explained the Bears’ main goal is ensuring Swift is healthy for the entire season, which means they are prioritizing his long-term availability over his status for any single game.
This cautious strategy is made possible by the emergence of a new face in the backfield. In Swift’s absence, rookie Kyle Monangai received the start and delivered a major performance against the Bengals, recording 198 scrimmage yards on 29 touches. Monangai’s success in a key victory likely gives Chicago the flexibility to be more patient with Swift’s recovery.
Losing Swift for any length of time is a major blow. Through the first half of the 2025 season, the veteran has amassed 656 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 118 touches. His value is reflected in his ranking as fourth among all running backs on PFSN’s Impact Rankings. For now, he should be considered questionable for Week 10, and his participation in practice during the week will provide a clearer picture of his potential availability.