After dividing into position groups during Monday’s non-padded practice, running backs coach Eric Bienemy only had two healthy running backs to work with, as the team prepares for the Minnesota Vikings in two weeks.

The Chicago Bears’ running back room has garnered a significant amount of attention, especially after D’Andre Swift and Brittain Brown, who the team signed on August 11, were the only two in the position group to practice.

With roster cuts scheduled to be finalized today at 3 p.m. CT, the Bears, who have already waived Ian Wheeler, Royce Freeman, and put Deion Hankins on the injured reserve list, currently have Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer and Kyle Monangai on the roster.

Roschon Johnson, who didn’t play in any preseason games, has been sidelined with an injury, and Monangai, after playing in preseason week 1 and carrying the ball six times for 30 yards, hasn’t seen the field since.

Head coach Ben Johnson said today, “There is some question mark on when all these guys will be fully healthy again.”

However, Chicago has been optimistic that the backfield won’t be as thin by Week 1 and has even found different ways to get playmakers the ball.

“We’re depleted a little but in that area as you can see, and so, we got to find ways to get out guys the ball,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said. “That doesn’t always have to be the running back — that can be a wideout, that can be a tight end, but we’ll continue to try to get the balls and the ball in the hands of our playmakers.”

It’s been evident from Ben Johnson’s track record of creativity and play schemes to mix things up, incorporates different players, and even add some trick plays.

Last season, DJ Moore attempted 14 carries for 75 yards, and in 2023, against the Lions in Week 14, he rushed for his first career touchdown.

So far in camp, there has been more and more of Moore in the backfield taking snaps as a running back. Moore has consistently demonstrated versatility, and with his ability to run after catches, seeing him take snaps from the backfield shouldn’t be surprising.

Ben Johnson also discussed how the status of the running back room might impact the 53-man roster.

“We’re working through that. We’ll always be looking if there’s guys out there that can help upgrade that room,” he said. “I think the injury part of it, that is the most troubling and concerning part right now, is just making sure we have enough depth so that we have a full stable of guys going forward, but I have full confidence that week 1 and really for the whole season we’re going to be just fine there.”

Other Bears news

Chicago also confirmed that it will carry three quarterbacks in 2025: Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, and Case Keenum.

“I alluded to it in the past, I feel strongly about that room, really like the makeup, the chemistry, and growth that we’ve seen over the course of spring and summer so far,” Ben Johnson said.

The Bears roster currently sits at 68 players and will need to trim down to 53 by 3 p.m. CT.