With key backs returning, the Bears' rotation strategy faces a crucial test. Ben Johnson weighs hot hands and series-by-series decisions against the Giants.
The importance of rotating running backs in and out of games properly can't be overstated.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has dealt with injuries at running back this season, but it looks like things are trending in the right direction.
D'Andre Swift (groin) was listed as questionable on the Friday injury report, but Roschon Johnson (back) and Kyle Monangai (ankle) were both upgraded to active.
Monangai came through in a big way for the Bears against the Cincinnati Bengals, finishing with 176 rushing yards, as both Swift and Johnson were out due to injury.
Now that he'll have more running backs at his disposal, Johnson was asked about rotating them and what that process looks like. He trusts running backs coach Eric Bieniemy's decision-making skills when it comes to putting in the right player.
"My experience has usually been that each guy there might be a couple plays on the plan, run game or pass game, that you put their number down for going into the week," Johnson said. "Other than that, I think it's been by series. This guy's gonna start us off this series, and we'll kinda see the longer the drive, we might have to sub someone else in, or if I call one of those selective plays, that might be the case. I think we'll find that right balance as we go through it. EB's [Eric Bieniemy] got a really good feel for guys as they're rolling. I do believe in a guy having a hot hand, so one guy, as you know, he's feeling it and giving us a spark, we might lean on that a little bit longer."
The running backs could have a big role in Sunday's game with the New York Giants. The Giants are allowing the second-most rushing yards per game at 150. Meanwhile, Chicago has the second-best rushing offense in the league, with 144.4 yards per game.
It's safe to say that fans can expect a healthy dose of both Swift and Monangai during the game if both are healthy. We will have to wait and see what Swift's status is ahead of kickoff.
Swift currently leads the Bears with 464 rushing yards, while Monangai has 362.
The Bears return home in Week 10 after their two-game road stretch in which they went 1-1. Kickoff from Soldier Field is set for noon CT on Fox, as the Bears aim for 6-3.