Chicago Bears get secondary depth back, but will be without primary interior defender vs. Minnesota
LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears' defense is trying its best to stay healthy in the dregs of the 2024 season.
On Monday night, they'll get a defensive piece in the secondary back, but will be without their best interior defensive lineman against the Vikings.
The Bears' final injury report of the week designated Gervon Dexter Sr. as out for Monday Night Football with a knee injury. Running back Roschon Johnson will also miss his second consecutive game with a concussion.
Safety Elijah Hicks as a full participant. He'll return after missing the last three weeks after suffering an ankle injury against the Green Bay Packers.
D'Andre Swift was listed as questionable with a groin injury.
"We'll see as the week goes on," Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown said Saturday. "I'm positive."
When asked how he's feeling physically, and if he's good enough to play on Monday, Swift offered only affirmations.
"I'm good," Swift said.
With Johnson out, the Bears will most likely be down to Swift, Travis Homer and Darrynton Evans at running back against the Vikings.
Swift will once again be looking to be a part of a Bears' offense that's vying to figure out its slow starts. The running game is a good place to start, especially with Swift being one of the Bears' best skill players.
Minnesota blitzes constantly. The Bears know this from the two playing earlier this season. Swift, with his home-run ability, has a chance to affect how the Vikings' blitz.
"They play a lot of different people in a lot of different positions," Swift said. "Just try and stay within the system. If the play's supposed to just hit north and south, just keeping it at that. If I break the line off scrimmage, just be myself."
On defense, however, the Bears' front will be without their three-technique in Dexter who has the ability to stop the run and rush the passer. Dexter has five sacks this season but didn't leave last Sunday's game with his knee injury.
Next up will have to be a combination of Chris Williams and Byron Cowart. Both bring similar size to the Bears' defensive line. However, it's hard to replace what the Bears have already lost on the defensive line in Dexter and Andrew Billings.
The Cowart and Williams will have to find ways to supplement Zacch Pickens on the interior, while also helping kick-start the pass rush that Darrell Taylor, DeMarcus Walker and Montez Sweat bring.
Minnesota is on a seven-game winning streak for a reason, however. At this point of the season, it's all easier said than done.