By admin 
The Green Bay Packers caught a massive break ahead of their matchup against the Chicago Bears, who learned they’ll be without a key component of their offense in Week 5. On Friday, Bears head coach Ben Johnson told reporters that the team’s leading rusher, Kyle Monangai, will miss Sunday’s contest with a toe injury.
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Monangai had been held out of practice this week with what was thought to be a minor injury. However, after seeing a specialist, it turned out to be more serious, requiring the running back to wear a walking boot.
Kyle Monangai is OUT for the Packers game, per Ben Johnson. His toe injury is a bigger concern than the team initially realized. Monangai saw a specialist and is currently in a boot. He will not practice today.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) October 9, 2026
The Bears’ Loss Should Be The Packers’ Gain
The Bears enter Week 5 as the NFL’s top-rushing team largely thanks to Monangai. The 24-year-old ranks sixth in rushing yards (324) and yards per carry (5.4), with three touchdowns.
Monangai being out should take some pressure off the Packers’ run defense, which has struggled without Micah Parsons, and will now be without another standout on defense, Edgerrin Cooper, who is out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles.
The Packers have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (139.2) in the NFL. Over the last two weeks alone, Green Bay has given up a combined 383 yards on the ground to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons.
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Bears Have Other Rushing Threats
Monangai is a huge loss for the Bears, but he’s only half of their two-headed monster backfield. The other is D’Andre Swift, who is having just as successful a season.
Swift is averaging 4.5 yards per carry, with 311 yards off 69 carries and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, he’s more of a threat in the passing game than Monangai, catching 10 of 12 targets for 84 yards this season.
Outside of Swift, the Bears may mix in Roschon Johnson. The veteran has been used sparingly this season (four carries, 16 yards), but has rushed for 535 yards and eight touchdowns over 40 career games.
The Bears may also get a little creative in trying to fill the void. Wide receiver Luther Burden has three carries for 20 yards this season, and he should be someone the Packers keep an eye on in the running game.
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This story was originally published October 9, 2026 at 10:50 AM.