Kyle Monangai Injury, Another LT Issue: Bears’ Wednesday Practice Report Raises Concerns

Several key players sidelined

The Bears released their first estimated injury report of the week ahead of their Week 9 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Braxton Jones will miss the rest of the year after surgery for a partially torn patellar tendon.

Monangai remains out

Kyle Monangai was again listed as an estimated non-participant, leaving him on course to miss another game. If he does not practice Thursday, the report says he is likely to miss a fifth game.

Johnson said last week the team did not believe Monangai’s injury warranted injured reserve, but could not predict how he would recover. Johnson said the Bears hoped to get him back sooner rather than later.

Running back depth gets thinner

Zavier Scott is also hurt, adding to the Bears’ running back concerns. Salvon Ahmed, who is on the practice squad, is the only other healthy running back behind D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson.

Cornerback Malik Muhammad, who missed last week with a toe injury, was estimated to be limited. That matches his practice status from the previous week, when he practiced three times but did not play.

Benedet’s status clouds tackle plans

Theo Benedet is dealing with an injury, and his status for Sunday is uncertain. Nicholas Moreano of Bears Roundtable reported that Benedet might have a separated shoulder, based on what he heard after seeing Benedet return to the locker room.

If Benedet cannot play, the Bears may need Ozzy Trapilo at left tackle. Trapilo has played limited snaps in two games while returning from a torn patellar tendon and did not play against Seattle in Week 8.

If Trapilo is not ready for a full game, the Bears could move Joe Thuney to left tackle and put Luke Newman in Thuney’s spot. Practice-squad options include Caden Barnett and Christian Jones; Jones has played 70 career NFL snaps, all at right tackle, while Barnett is a rookie with no regular-season snaps.