Bears Eyeing Former NCAA TDs Leader Amid D’Andre Swift Injury Concerns
After one of their best rushing performances of the season in Week 9, the Chicago Bears are still looking to add reinforcements to their running back room. On November 4, Chicago brought in four running backs for workouts at Halas Hall: Israel Abanikanda, Raheem Blackshear, Montrell Johnson Jr., and ShunDerrick Powell.
With starter D’Andre Swift still dealing with a groin issue and Roschon Johnson also missing time in recent weeks, the front office wanted to get a look at some available RBs who could fit well into head coach Ben Johnson’s system. Under Johnson, the Bears’ ground game has quietly become the foundation of a young and still-evolving offense.
Heading into Week 10, Chicago is currently ranked second in the NFL in rushing (144.4 yards per game) and fourth overall in total offense (378.4 yards per game). That’s no small feat for an offense still adjusting to a new regime.
## A Closer Look at Chicago’s Current RB Room Heading into Week 10
Swift, now in his second season with Chicago, has established himself as the team’s RB1. At 5-foot-8 and 204 pounds, the 26-year-old former second-round pick remains one of the NFL’s most elusive backs in space. Through seven games, he has 100 carries for 464 yards (4.6 per carry) and four touchdowns, also adding another 192 yards and a touchdown as a receiver.
Behind him, rookie Kyle Monangai is fresh off a breakout performance in Chicago’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Filling in for an injured Swift, Monangai rushed 26 times for 176 yards, averaging a hefty 6.8 yards per carry. He’ll likely see more opportunities moving forward.
Johnson and veteran Travis Homer round out the unit as special teams contributors and emergency options when injuries strike. In the team’s Week 7 win over the New Orleans Saints, Chicago rushed for 222 yards, with both Swift’s explosiveness and Monangai’s vision taking center stage. The Bears eclipsed that total in Week 9 without Swift even in the lineup, netting a season-high 283 yards on the ground.
## Chicago Bears Bring in Four RBs for Workouts, Including Israel Abanikanda
Israel Abanikanda, a 23-year-old former fifth-round pick by the Jets, brings size (5-foot-10, 217 pounds), speed, and an impressive college résumé from his days at Pittsburgh, where he once scored six touchdowns in a single game. He led the nation in rushing yards (1,431) and rushing touchdowns (20) in 2022, but has yet to break out in the NFL after being released by the Jets and spending some time with the Packers.
Raheem Blackshear, 27, went undrafted in 2022 after a college career at Rutgers and Virginia Tech. He offers special teams and third-down value, with proven experience as both a pass catcher and returner after stints with the Panthers and Bills.
Montrell Johnson Jr., an undrafted rookie out of Florida, is a sturdy 5-foot-11, 212-pound downhill runner who racked up over 1,600 rushing yards across his last two college seasons. His one-cut ability fits Chicago’s zone-heavy offensive scheme. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles after the draft, but ultimately released.
ShunDerrick Powell is a 5-foot-7, 183-pound speedster out of Central Arkansas who averaged over eight yards per carry at the FCS level. He’d be a developmental change-of-pace back option.
Right now, the Bears have Brittain Brown as their only practice squad RB, so it’s possible they could add another player to fortify the group. With injuries reshuffling the depth chart, Chicago continues to search for the right combination to keep their run game thriving.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/chicago-bears/workout-rbs-israel-abanikanda-raheem-blackshear/
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