Bears RB Kyle Monangai Out vs. Seahawks, Ben Johnson Takeaways

As the Chicago Bears prepare for their Week 8 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football, the team will be without running back Kyle Monangai for the fourth-straight game. 

Head coach Ben Johnson ruled Monangai out during his Saturday media availability at Halas Hall. Monangai injured his thumb and toe during the team's Week 4 win over the New York Jets. In the 23-12 win, Monangai ran the ball 30 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns, but didn't finish the game. 

“I think every time you have an injury, you don't know how a player is going to bounce back from that," Johnson said. "I think we've had a number of guys that have been able to return a little bit sooner than we thought and anticipated initially, and then, that's not always the case. Obviously, we didn't feel like it was warranted to put him on IR for a stretch of time, and yet, we're still hopeful we'll get him back sooner rather than later, so we'll see.”

Johnson couldn't specify on Monangai's timeline to return, but he's hopeful he comes back "because he knows how much we want him here on offense, and he can give us a spark."

As for the rest of the Bears' injury report, only Monangai has been ruled out Monday night's game against the Seahawks. Cornerback Malik Muhammad was a limited participant in Saturday's practice and is questionable. Linebacker D'Marco Jackson was a full participant with an ankle injury and is also questionable. T.J. Edwards (hamstring), Colston Loveland (neck) and Jack Sanborn (concussion) were all full participants and did not have injury designations, meaning they are all good to go. 

Johnson also confirmed on Saturday that Theo Benedet will start at left tackle, which will make this his fifth-straight start this season. Second-year player Ozzy Trapilo has seen offensive snaps the last two games at left tackle, but he didn't play any offensive snaps in the second half against the New England Patriots. Trapilo played 19 snaps against the Patriots, allowing two total quarterback pressures, including one sack. 

This Week 8 matchup is going to test every aspect of this Bears team, and Johnson understands how much of a challenge this game will present. 

"We're going to have to handle this crowd that's going to be wild for a Monday night, and I know guys are going to be up for it, and we're going to give them our best shot," Johnson said. "We've been saying all week long that we're going to have to coach the best that we've coached all year. We're going to have to play the best that we've played all year, and that doesn't mean we're scared to make mistakes or anything like that, but, we've got to be on our mess, and we can't shoot ourselves in the foot with turnovers or penalties or things of that nature.

We need to play a clean football game, and let's see where it goes from there. I'm really excited to go out there and compete, but it is a really good team. When you watch them, all three phases come together. They're well coached, and like I said, it'll be great tape to look at just to assess where we are.”

Although the reigning Super Bowl champions present plenty of obstacles for Johnson's team, the Bears' head coach is also looking forward to the challenge. 

"Certainly when you see a team that's playing as well as they are across the board, and then as an offensive play caller seeing a defense that's playing as well as they are, yeah, it brings out your competitive juices," Johnson said. "So it is fun from that regard.”