Bears injury report: RB D’Andre Swift returns and vows to play vs. Giants

After watching his backup run wild and his team win a crazy game, D’Andre Swift won’t be in street clothes for a second consecutive Sunday.

The Bears’ starting running back returned to practice Wednesday, albeit in a limited capacity because of his groin injury, and said he’ll play Sunday against the Giants.

Head coach Ben Johnson said the Bears were protecting Swift from himself by resting him all last week. Swift had been dealing with the groin injury for the past month or so that wasn’t getting better. Sitting out against the Bengals and their league-worst defense “wasn’t my decision,” Swift said.

He felt healthy enough to spring down the sideline while Colston Loveland was running in his 58-yard game-winning touchdown catch. He cheered on Kyle Monangai, too, when the rookie ran 26 times for 176 yards.

“Had a helluva game,” Swift said. “I’m proud of him.”

Monangai was limited with an ankle injury Wednesday, while fellow running back Roschon Johnson returned from a back injury and was limited.

The coach said he’s happy to have competition at running back — not that Swift’s starting job is necessarily up for grabs.

“Each week’s going to have a different story,” Johnson said. “But hopefully they feel a little bit of competition amongst themselves to make it clear to the coaching staff that you need to get the ball in my hands, and that’s a good thing.”

Seeking an edge

Bears general manager Ryan Poles pointed to a recent surge by defensive end Montez Sweat and the return of Austin Booker from injury as a reason for pass-rush optimism.

Poles checked in on the league’s available edge rushers, including the Jets’ Jermaine Johnson, before making a depth move and dealing for Browns defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

The move was rooted in his film over four years in Tampa Bay, Poles said, including a two-sack performance against the Bears in 2023. Poles compared him to defensive end Dominique Robinson but said he has “a few more traits than Dom.”

He figures to play behind Booker on Sunday. Tryon-Shoyinka practiced in full Wednesday and called the trade an “amazing opportunity” after playing only 31 defensive snaps in Cleveland.

“I’m trying to just find my identity with this team and fit in where I can,” he said.

Long injury report

For the second straight week, the Bears practiced on a Wednesday without either DJ Moore (hip/groin) or Rome Odunze (ankle/heel). Moore has been hampered since the Commanders game while Odunze first appeared on the injury report last week. Fellow receiver Luther Burden III came out of concussion protocol.

Two defensive starters sat out, too — safety Kevin Byard (back/ankle) and linebacker T.J. Edwards. Robinson (ankle). Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who got a veteran’s day off.

Cornerback Josh Blackwell was out Wednesday and tight end Cole Kmet was limited after each were concussed Sunday.

Notes

• Loveland became the first rookie tight end to win NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors since Jeremy Shockey in 2002. He also won the Nickelodeon Valuable Player, too, and was doused with green slime when surprised after Wednesday’s practice.

“They got me,” a messy Loveland said.

• Former Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr, who recently recovered following spinal fusion surgery, visited the Panthers on Wednesday. He’ll meet with five teams in the next week, including the Bears on Tuesday, per NFL Network. The former second-round pick’s father won two Super Bowls with the Patriots.

• The Bears will bring special teamer Amen Ogbongbemiga, a linebacker, off injured reserve this week.