Report: Kyle Monangai to have MRI on knee after early Bears practice exit

Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai is expected to undergo an MRI after leaving practice early on Sunday with a knee injury, according to a report attributed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The update, framed as an internal team assessment, suggests the Bears believe they avoided a major injury. The report states that initial tests indicated the knee is structurally sound, and that an MRI is planned to verify that conclusion and determine any further steps.

Monangai’s exit matters because early-week injuries can quickly change how a team divides reps, especially during the live-practice portion of the offseason where coaches use depth and availability to shape game plans for the regular season.

For the Bears, the practical impact is straightforward. If Monangai’s knee is cleared and no additional limitations are required, Chicago can preserve its current backfield plan and keep its projected rotation intact. If the MRI reveals additional damage, the team could need to reshuffle personnel and accelerate reps for backups.

Even in cases where the team’s first impression is encouraging, an MRI is often the deciding test, because “structurally sound” results do not always rule out other issues that can affect mobility or workload. The Bears’ next decisions, such as whether Monangai can resume full activity on a normal timeline, will typically flow from the imaging findings.

The timing also places pressure on how the Bears manage risk over the coming days. A knee that requires rest or a reduced workload can ripple into practice participation, conditioning progress, and the amount of live work available to other players competing for roles behind the top backs.

What to watch next is straightforward: whether the MRI confirms there is no significant injury and, if so, how quickly Monangai is able to return to full practice without restrictions. That confirmation will also influence how long the Bears keep their depth chart stable.

For now, the report’s most important takeaway is caution tempered by optimism. The knee is believed to be structurally fine based on initial testing, but the MRI will be the determining step in assessing Monangai’s status moving forward.