Roschon

Johnson

Although the five receptions were a new season high, the seven-touch, 19-yard effort capped a dismal sophomore campaign for the 2023 fourth-rounder. In a year where the Bears needed any offensive spark they could get, Johnson never provided one behind struggling lead back D’Andre Swift. He failed to reach three yards per carry, and could not carve out a short-yardage niche, something other backs have had little issue doing alongside Swift. Although Johnson still has two years to go on his rookie deal, there’s no guarantee Matt Eberflus’ replacement will keep Johnson around on the 53-man roster. 26 days shy of his 24th birthday, Johnson is now a fringe dynasty league hold.

Johnson was not targeted. Chicago fell behind early and only gave their running backs 10 total carries. D’Andre Swift saw all but one of those attempts. Johnson is a distant backup on a middling offense heading into Week 17. He is not on the fantasy radar.

Fellow backup running back Travis Homer is listed as doubtful. Johnson was stealing goal line work from D’Andre Swift before suffering a concussion that sidelined him for two weeks. He should reclaim that role in Week 16 while also seeing some work on passing downs, putting him on the RB3/4 border. His return puts Swift at risk of falling out for the RB2 ranks versus Minnesota.

Wednesday’s practice was only a walkthrough, so we’ll learn more when the team hosts their first full practice later this week. Still, a full estimation on the opening report suggests Johnson will clear concussion protocol by the end of the week. Johnson was stealing work from D’Andre Swift on passing downs and at the goal line before suffering the concussion. His return will push Swift deep into the RB3 ranks for his Week 16 matchup with Detroit.

It’ll mark the second consecutive missed game for the young running back as he works his way through the league’s concussion protocol. Johnson was injured after just two offensive snaps in Week 13. Expect D’Andre Swift, assuming health, to serve in a workhorse role in his absence after seeing 16 opportunities on a robust 79% snap rate in the team’s Week 14 loss to the 49ers.

The Bears play on Monday, giving Swift one more day to return to the practice field. He missed the first two practices before Week 14 but was upgraded to a limited session for the final day and ultimately suited up come kickoff. We are expecting a similar runout this week. Roschon Johnson is recovering from a concussion and did not return to practice on Friday, meaning Travis Homer will likely back up Swift again.

Johnson missed last week’s game against the 49ers with a concussion and will need to clear protocol if he hopes to play in Week 15 against the Vikings. Thursday’s injury report is just an estimation after the team held a walkthrough, so we’ll see how things progress in the coming days when the team officially takes to the practice field.

Passing-game specialist Travis Homer will replace Johnson though Swift should mix into the passing game occasionally. Homer likely poses little threat to Swift when the Bears enter the red and green zones. Both Swift and Moore were limited by quad injuries this week but their soft tissue issues evidently responded well to Wednesday and Thursday rest days. Swift is an RB2 while Moore mirrors him as a WR2. Both players possess volume-based top-12 upside. The Bears also declared S Elijah Hicks, OL Ryan Bates, OT Larry Borom, DE Dominique Robinson, WR Tyler Scott and DB Ameer Speed inactive.

Johnson was entirely unable to practice this week despite having extra time to recover following the Bears’ Week 13 Thursday Night Football showing. It’s possible the team is exercising an abundance of caution after S Jaquan Brisker missed multiple weeks due to a concussion earlier this season. Hopefully, Johnson can return for Week 15. Pass-catching specialist RB Travis Homer should take on passing-down duties this week.

Johnson now appears highly unlikely to suit up for the Bears’ Week 14 matchup against the 49ers. Starter D’Andre Swift (quad) is also currently sidelined, which elevates No. 3 RB Travis Homer to the fantasy-relevant realm. RB-needy teams should consider stashing him on benches for now.