Roschon Johnson Not A Trustworthy Option In Backup Role
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson remains the No. 2 option on the depth chart, keeping him off the fantasy radar in most leagues ahead of his Week 18 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. There's always a chance the eliminated Bears could give increased snaps to some of their younger players, like Johnson, while reducing the workload for veterans such as running back D'Andre Swift. However, the Bears have stayed pretty quiet about their personnel decisions, and as of Saturday, there's no indication that Johnson's workload will change for the regular-season finale. He has just five carries for eight yards over his last two games, and prior to that, he missed nearly three full contests. As a result, he hasn't caught a pass nor found the end zone since Week 12 against Minnesota. This week, he and Swift will take on a Packers run defense that has allowed the 15th-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024, but the third-most catches and receiving yards. Johnson ranks as an RB4 in fantasy football and should continue to be benched in most leagues.
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson should be avoided in all fantasy leagues ahead of Thursday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks. While Johnson did vulture numerous touchdowns from D'Andre Swift earlier in the year, that hasn't happened as much lately due to his reduced snap counts, as well as the fact that he missed multiple weeks due to a concussion. In fact, while the 23-year-old scored six touchdowns over eight games from Week 4 through Week 12, he has not found the end zone since then. He mustered just one carry against the Detroit Lions last week and should not be viewed as a legitimate fantasy option as long as Swift stays healthy.
Roschon Johnson Trending Towards A Return In Week 16
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) practiced in full for the second straight day this week and is on his way towards clearing the league's concussion protocol and returning to action this Sunday in Week 16 against the division-rival Detroit Lions. Johnson has missed the team's last two games due to a concussion but is trending in the right direction to return this weekend. He still needs final clearance from an independent neurologist later this week, though, to get the final green light to play. Even if Johnson is active against the Lions on Sunday, he won't have any real standalone fantasy value with a lot on the line in leagues this weekend. He's been the clear backup behind D'Andre Swift on game days and hasn't been a reliable producer, although he has chipped in six rushing touchdowns. Perhaps if Chicago's offense was more reliable.
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) was listed as a full participant for the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday. Despite the estimated practice participation, it appears that Johnson has made notable progress through the league's concussion protocol and will have a chance to play in Week 16 against the division-rival Detroit Lions on Sunday after missing each of the last two games due to a concussion that he suffered in the Week 13 loss to the Lions. If the 23-year-old clears the concussion protocol later this week and is active this weekend, he won't be a realistic starting option in fantasy football as the clear backup behind D'Andre Swift in Chicago's lackluster offense. In his second NFL season in 2024, Johnson has seen just 48 rushing attempts for 139 yards (2.9 yards per carry) and has added 11 receptions for 88 yards in 11 games.
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out for Monday night's contest against the Minnesota Vikings, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Johnson suffered this concussion during their Week 13 match against the Detroit Lions and has been sidelined since. Johnson was unable to practice all week and will set his sights on returning in Week 16 to face the Detroit Lions. While sidelined, Travis Homer has taken the No.2 role behind D'Andre Swift. During Weeks 8 through 12, Johnson was showing some fantasy upside, especially in the red zone, as he punched in three scores during this five-game span. Fantasy managers should consider grabbing Homer off the waiver wire as the top option, Swift (groin) is listed as questionable for Monday's tilt. If Homer gets the starting nod, he should be viewed as a high-floor RB2 based on volume.
D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson Miss Another Practice
Chicago Bears running backs D'Andre Swift (groin) and Roschon Johnson (concussion) both missed their second straight practice of the week on Friday. With just one more day of practice scheduled on Saturday, it's not looking good for either Swift or Johnson to be active on Monday night against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Travis Homer (head), the No. 3 back on the roster, is also on the injury report this week, but he's been practicing in full and should be ready for starting duties if both Swift and Johnson are unable to play. Johnson is less likely to play than Swift, but the 25-year-old Swift appears to be in real danger of sitting out. If both RBs are inactive, the Bears will most likely elevate Darrynton Evans from the practice squad to split the backfield with Homer. It would be a situation to avoid for most fantasy managers in the first week of the fantasy playoffs.
D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson Not Practicing On Thursday
Chicago Bears running backs D'Andre Swift (groin) and Roschon Johnson (concussion) were listed as non-participants for the team's first practice in Week 15 on Thursday. The Bears will face off against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings on Monday night this week, which means they won't release their final injury report until Saturday. Swift was listed as questionable for last week's loss to the San Francisco 49ers but ended up playing and disappointing his fantasy managers with 15 touches for 40 scrimmage yards in a blowout defeat. Meanwhile, Johnson missed his second straight game. The 25-year-old Swift is now up in the air to play again this week, although he has two more days to return to practice. In Chicago's lackluster offense, Swift has struggled recently and has scored just once in his last six games. If both Swift and Johnson are out on Monday, Travis Homer would be Chicago's lead back.
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) missed practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 14 on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. In addition to Johnson, lead running back D'Andre Swift (quadriceps) is questionable to play this weekend, meaning third-string back Travis Homer could be forced into lead-back duties at Levis Stadium on Sunday if Swift is also unable to go. Even if Swift is active on Sunday, expect the Bears to bring Darrynton Evans up from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster to give the team more depth at the position with Johnson still concussed. Johnson suffered a concussion in the Thanksgiving Day loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions last Thursday and will now try to clear the league's concussion protocol in time for another divisional clash in Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings.
D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson Pick Up Another DNP
Chicago Bears running backs D'Andre Swift (quadriceps) and Roschon Johnson (concussion) both missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday. The Bears backfield could be dangerously thin heading into their Week 14 matchup this Sunday on the road against the San Francisco 49ers unless Swift and Johnson can return to practice on Friday in some capacity. If both RBs cannot suit up for this weekend in the first game without head coach Matt Eberflus -- he was fired on Black Friday following the Thanksgiving Day loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions -- the Bears could be down to Travis Homer as their lead back against the Niners. Even with extra time to prepare for Week 14, Swift and Johnson are in danger of missing Sunday's contest. For volume alone, Homer would be in play as an RB3/flex on Sunday if both Swift and Johnson are out.
D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson Miss Wednesday's Practice
Chicago Bears running backs D'Andre Swift (quadriceps) and Roschon Johnson (concussion) were both listed as DNPs for Wednesday's practice. The good news is the Bears have extra time to tend to their injuries after losing last Thursday's Thanksgiving Day game to the division-rival Detroit Lions, but Chicago's backfield is ailing and could be short-handed for a Week 14 meeting with the similarly banged-up San Francisco 49ers. If neither Swift nor Johnson manage to get the green light to play this weekend, the Bears would be forced to use third-stringer Travis Homer as their lead back, which would obviously be bad news for their offense on a team that has lost six straight games. The 25-year-old Swift has been the Bears' primary back all season. He had a streak of four straight games with a rushing touchdown from Weeks 4-7, but he's scored just once since.