Bears Rule Out Kyle Monangai, Duct-Tape Secondary Together For Buccaneers Matchup

Kyle Monangai is officially out for today's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ian Rapoport reported the Chicago Bears running back is dealing with a thumb and toe issue, which sounds less like a standard football injury and more like the result of a cartoon anvil dropping directly on him.

The good news for Chicago is that he is expected back by Week 11, giving him plenty of time to ice the absolute extremities of his body. In the meantime, the Bears will have to lean much heavier on D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson to carry the backfield workload.

"Ian Rapoport noted Monangai is expected back in Week 11 with 'fresh legs for Chicago.'"

Monangai has already had a rough medical year, dodging a major bullet with a knee scare back in August that briefly threatened his season opener. If you are holding tickets on Chicago's rushing props today, you have to factor in that missing a key rotational piece puts a massive amount of pressure on Swift to produce against a heavy Tampa Bay front.

On the other side of the ball, the secondary is duct-taping itself together and getting back on the field. Defensive back Malik Muhammad II is cleared to play through his own toe issue, bringing his 13 tackles and an interception back to a defense that desperately needs warm bodies.

Then there is cornerback Tyrique Stevenson Sr., who is also active and will play through a thumb injury by wearing a splint. Trying to jam an NFL wide receiver at the line of scrimmage while wearing a plastic club on your hand is objectively hilarious, unless you are the guy actually doing it.

The Bears just need to survive this matchup with the Buccaneers and get to Week 11 with their roster somewhat intact. Until then, expect a heavy dose of Swift and a lot of defensive backs trying to catch interceptions with one good hand.