The Bears almost came back to beat the Lions on Thanksgiving last week before their clock mismanagement cost them the game… and coach Matt Eberflus his job. Offensive play-caller Thomas Brown will take over as interim head coach this week, but who the former running back will have available to call on in the backfield is unclear. Both D’Andre Swift ($5,700; quad) and Roschon Johnson ($4,300; concussion) missed practice on Wednesday. If both backs are out, what will the Bears have in the backfield in Week 14 as they visit the 49ers?
Checking out the depth chart
Swift has been the lead back for the Bears most of the season and would be a good play against the struggling 49ers defense if he can give it a go this week. He’s very affordable in DFS contests like the NFL $2.5M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st] and will have a very high ceiling if he’s in and Johnson is out.
If the opposite scenario plays out, Johnson will be a great value at just over $4,000 assuming he can clear concussion protocol and Swift is out.
Where things get really crazy is if both miss time. The only other running back with any action this season is Travis Homer ($4,000), who has three carries for 16 rushing yards on the year. Homer is known as a passing-down specialist but may be forced into a much larger role this week. Homer could be a steal at the minimum salary if he gets his chance to step into a bigger role.
Darrynton Evans ($4,000) was added to the Bears’ practice squad in early November after he was dropped by the Bills. Evans hasn’t played in any games this season after splitting time last year between the Bears and Dolphins. He has also been more of a receiving specialist, but he would seem to be a better early-down fit than Homer.
Earlier this season, the Bears traded Khalil Herbert to the Bengals, which is why their depth chart at running back is a little thin behind Swift and Johnson.
The bottom line
The 49ers have been beatable on the ground lately with the league’s third-worst rush defense over the last three games, so keep a close eye on the Bears’ injury report. Whoever gets the work will have good value potential, especially if it’s clear how the carries are going to shake out before we get to Sunday’s kickoff.
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