Week 1 exposed Chicago's ground game struggles: D'Andre Swift managed 17 carries for 53 yards, while Caleb Williams ran for 58 more as the team’s leading ground threat. Ben Johnson signaled changes on Wednesday, stressing more runs and a wider look at who gets carries. Week 2 against Detroit looms as a fork in the road for the Bears’ backfield, with Kyle Monangai expected to get a longer leash.

Monangai, a Rutgers workhorse with 669 carries for 3,222 yards in college, flashed in the preseason and produced a minimal Week 1 touch. If he sparks early in Detroit, Johnson won’t hesitate to ride the hot hand and possibly reduce Swift’s workload, reshaping fantasy projections in a backfield that suddenly looks more volatile but also more dynamic.

Fantasy managers should monitor early-down snaps and red-zone opportunities as the Bears pivot. A Monangai spark could juice the ceiling for both backs, while a slow start might leave Swift as the primary option with Monangai carving a concrete niche. Week 2 will reveal the plan and the shifting fantasy landscape.

Week 2 RB waiver targets tilt toward the Browns’ backfield duo of Dylan Sampson and Quinshon Judkins, with Sampson showing a useful receiving profile even if Judkins debuts soon. Arizona’s Trey Benson is the premier handcuff behind Conner, while Kenneth Gainwell and Kyle Monangai offer deeper league depth behind Pittsburgh and Chicago. Considerable upside exists in Rachaad White, Jaydon Blue, Bhayshul Tuten, Najee Harris, D.J. Giddens, Tyjae Spears, Tyler Allgeier, Ray Davis, Will Shipley, Ollie Gordon II, Rico Dowdle, and Tahj Brooks as Week 2 adds.

Week 1 fantasy snapshot centers on Kaleb Johnson, Tyler Warren, Ashton Jeanty, Woody Marks, Kyle Williams, Ollie Gordon II, Elic Ayomanor, D'Onte Thornton, Luther Burden III and Kyle Monangai. Johnson is a wait‑and‑see rookie behind Warren; Warren is the Week 1 focal point. Jeanty and Marks are depth options to monitor. Williams faces injury notes and uncertain role. Gordon II is the primary Dolphins backup; Ayomanor sits as Titans No. 3 behind Ridley and Lockett. Thornton offers sleeper upside for Raiders; Burden and Monangai provide limited Week 1 usage with Bears.

Kyle Monangai resurfaced in full Bears participation and is back off the injury report, boosting the backfield clarity for Chicago. Roschon Johnson returned to practice on a limited basis after a month-long layoff with a foot issue, leaving his Week 1 status as questionable. T.J. Edwards is doubtful, and Jaylon Johnson, Nahshon Wright, and Jaylon Jones are among the biggest Week 1 doubts. If Johnson sits, Wright or Jones could see elevated roles, while Monangai could carve a short-yardage path behind a still-unclear committee.

Devin Duvernay and Dominique Robinson were removed from the injury report, trimming uncertainty on the Saints? Bears? defense and offense alike. The mix creates a high-stakes landscape for fantasy managers monitoring practice reports and active game-day projections, especially around Chicago’s backfield and starting corner spots. The uncertainty around the Bears’ secondary could tilt pass-game plans and matchup assumptions early in the season.