The Bears backfield got crowded this offseason with the addition of D'Andre Swift, and we'll see what that means for Johnson, the second-year running back. At the time of publication, Khalil Herbert is also on Chicago's roster, but there's the potential of Herbert getting traded, which would be great for Johnson. Most likely, Johnson will have a role in the passing game for the Bears, but we'd love to see him entrenched as the No. 2 running back behind Swift. That would likely allow Johnson the chance for guaranteed touches, as well as being a lottery ticket in case Swift ever got hurt. However, if Herbert remains in Chicago, then it could be tough to trust Johnson until we see his role. Plan on taking a flier on Johnson with a late-round pick in all leagues, and his value would rise if Herbert is traded. As a rookie in 2023, Johnson was underwhelming at 6.8 PPR points per game, but we expect him to perform at a higher level this season, especially if he was No. 2 on the depth chart behind Swift.
Johnson (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the Titans.
The Bears placed a cap on Johnson's practice reps Wednesday and Thursday due to a toe injury, but after Friday's full session, he didn't carry a designation into the weekend. No matter, he won't be available to the Bears offense Week 1, leaving Khalil Herbert and Travis Homer as the reserve running backs behind D'Andre Swift. Johnson will turn his focus to making his season debut next Sunday at Houston.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Cleared for Week 1
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Johnson (toe) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Titans.
Johnson missed a lot of practices and preseason games in August but isn't in any doubt for Week 1 after upgrading to full practice participation Friday. His role is less clear, as D'Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert figure to take most, if not all, of the carries, and Swift may also be preferred over Johnson in passing situations.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Remains limited Thursday
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Johnson (toe) remained limited in Thursday's practice.
Johnson missed the Bears' final three preseason games after appearing in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 1. Even if Johnson is active for Sunday's Week 1 opener against the Titans, he appears to be firmly behind D'Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert on the backfield depth chart. Johnson has minimal redraft fantasy value at the moment.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Limited with toe injury
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Johnson was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to a toe injury.
The injury might explain why Johnson didn't play in any preseason contests after the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1. It's unclear what his role will be when healthy, but the limited practice participation suggests he at least stands some chance to play this Sunday against the Titans. D'Andre Swift is expected to lead Chicago's backfield, and Khalil Herbert could sub in for some carries, which may leave Johnson as a passing-down specialist or out of the picture entirely.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Makes end-zone visit Sunday
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Johnson tallied seven carries for 21 yards and one touchdown and hauled in all three targets for 38 yards during Sunday's 37-17 win versus the Falcons.
The Bears backfield again didn't have the services of D'Onta Foreman on Sunday, only this time he was a healthy scratch instead of out due to a personal issue like he was in Week 16. The absence allowed Khalil Herbert to pace Bears running backs with 20 touches for 129 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown, while Johnson got in the act, too, with a 10-59-1 line. This marked Johnson's third outing in a row with at least nine touches, a span in which he's had 31 touches for 172 total yards and one TD. At the moment, Herbert is the team's No. 1 RB, but Johnson appears to be his primary backup as long as Foreman isn't in pads on game day.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Modest output with Foreman out
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Johnson contributed 37 yards on nine carries and hauled in all three targets for 16 yards during Sunday's 27-16 victory over the Cardinals.
The Bears were without D'Onta Foreman in Week 16 due to a personal matter, but Khalil Herbert was the running back who benefitted from the absence. Herbert paced the backfield with 21 touches for 121 yards from scrimmage and a TD, which towered over Johnson's modest 12, 53 and zero, respectively. Perhaps Chicago's coaching staff prefers the rookie fourth-round pick to stay in a change-of-pace role, no matter who among the trio is available, but Johnson wasn't the primary beneficiary this time around. His outlook for the final two games of the campaign may not necessarily be tied to whether or not Foreman is able to suit up down the stretch.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Week 16 Waiver Priority List
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The Bears have a great matchup in Week 16 against the Cardinals, who are No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, but it's a guessing game of who will lead the team in touches. I'd lean toward D'Onta Foreman, but Johnson and Khalil Herbert (64 percent rostered) will also be in the mix. For Johnson, he's coming off a productive game against the Browns in Week 15 where he played the most snaps at 49 percent, and he finished with five carries for 36 yards and four catches for 24 yards on six targets. But in Week 14 against Detroit, he only had one carry for 6 yards. He might only be needed if the Bears are trailing, which might not happen against the Cardinals, so be cautious with him this week. As for Herbert, he's a desperation play at best. In his past two games, he has nine carries for 16 yards and one catch for 4 yards on one target.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Leads backfield in Week 15 loss
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Johnson carried the ball five times for 36 yards and caught four of six targets for 24 yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Browns.
Despite the modest volume, the rookie RB led the Bears' backfield in touches and scrimmage yards, as Khalil Herbert managed just 12 combined yards while D'Onta Foreman lost six yards on his six totes. Johnson could be Chicago's choice to head the committee the rest of the way as the team looks ahead to 2024, but the situation figures to be tough to predict from a fantasy perspective heading into a Week 16 clash with the Cardinals.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Keep an eye on the injury report for the Lions to see if linebacker Alex Anzalone (hand) or defensive tackle Alim McNeill (leg) are healthy, and if both are out for this game against the Bears, then that should help Johnson. He's worth using as a flex option in this matchup after the way he played in Week 12 at Minnesota with 15 total touches, including five catches for 40 yards on five targets. His role in the passing game should give him the chance for a quality outing, especially if the Lions are missing key guys on defense. It would also help Johnson if D'Onta Foreman (ankle) remains out for the Bears as well, but Johnson should be the No. 1 running back for Chicago ahead of Khalil Herbert.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Outpaces Herbert in Week 12 win
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Johnson rushed 10 times for 35 yards and brought in all five targets for 40 yards in the Bears' 12-10 win over the Vikings on Monday. He also committed a fumble, which was recovered by the Bears.
The rookie notably logged four more carries than Khalil Herbert, despite entering the game No. 2 on the depth chart. Johnson also outpaced his teammate through the air, checking in third in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the night for Chicago. Both Johnson's rush attempts and receiving yards were new career highs, and it will be interesting to see how the division of labor in the Bears' ground attack breaks down Week 14 against the Lions following the Week 13 bye, considering D'Onta Foreman (ankle) is likely to be factored back into the mix for that contest.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Targeted often in victory
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Johnson rushed five times for 18 yards and caught four passes for 14 yards in the Bears' 16-13 win over the Panthers on Thursday.
Johnson continues to struggle with his opportunities, as he has gained 43 yards on 13 rushes while also being held to 33 yards on eight receptions over his last three games. The Chicago backfield may become more crowded in Week 11, when the team likely activates Khalil Herbert (ankle) from injured reserve. If Johnson retains his pass-catching role, he could maintain the 1.85 receptions per game he's recorded since Week 2.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Splits backfield work Sunday
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Johnson took six carries for 21 yards while catching three of four targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 30-13 loss to the Chargers.
Johnson was able to pass the league's concussion protocol in time to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Chargers. The 22-year-old wound up splitting touches with D'Onta Foreman, with neither player standing out in the box score. Both backs could struggle to develop consistent value due to fluctuating usage from an indecisive coaching staff trying to salvage a season that is clearly heading the wrong direction, and that's before the eventual return of Khalil Herbert (ankle) gets factored in. For now, assume another roughly even split between Johnson and Foreman against the Saints in Week 9.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Out of concussion protocol
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Johnson said Thursday that he cleared the concussion protocol and is ready to play in Sunday's road game against the Chargers, Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports.
Players in the protocol for head injuries aren't permitted to speak to the media, so Johnson's comments more or less pave the way for him to put an end to a two-game absence. His upcoming role is in some question, though, after D'Onta Foreman reeled off 187 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns over the last two games with Khalil Herbert (ankle, IR) sidelined. In five games this season, Johnson is averaging 4.9 yards on his 25 carries, has hauled in 11 of 12 targets for 58 yards and scored one rushing TD.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Another full practice
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Johnson (concussion) practiced fully Thursday.
The uncapped session marks Johnson's second in a row, but it's unclear if he's passed through the final phase of the protocol for head injuries. On Wednesday, coach Matt Eberflus noted Johnson had "one more hurdle" to get past in order to see his first game action since sustaining a concussion Week 5 in Washington, per Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com. Having said that, the Bears may not indicate whether that has happened until they post their final practice report of Week 8 on Friday. If Johnson gains clearance to play Sunday at the Chargers, he may split the backfield reps with D'Onta Foreman with Khalil Herbert (ankle) still on injured reserve.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Not practicing yet
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Johnson (concussion) isn't practicing Wednesday, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Johnson hasn't practiced since suffering a concussion in a Thursday night win over Washington in Week 5. He missed the Week 6 loss to Minnesota in which D'Onta Foreman and Darrynton Evans handled the backfield work while Johnson, Khalil Herbert (ankle) and Travis Homer (hamstring) all sat out. Another missed practice suggests Johnson is in danger of missing a second game this Sunday against Las Vegas.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Spectator for Thursday's practice
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Johnson (concussion) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice.
Johnson entered concussion protocol after he was removed from this past Thursday's 40-20 win over the Commanders and doesn't appear to have taken a notable step forward in his recovery from the injury just under a week later. With consecutive absences at practice to begin Week 6 prep, Johnson will likely need to mix into drills in some capacity Friday in addition to gaining clearance from an independent neurologist to have any chance at playing Sunday against the Vikings. Khalil Herbert (ankle) and Travis Homer (hamstring) have also been spectators for the Bears' first two Week 6 practices and appear to be trending toward absences Sunday, which likely leaves D'Onta Foreman on track to headline the Chicago backfield against the Vikings.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Still in concussion protocol
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Bears head coach Matt Eberflus confirmed Wednesday that Johnson remains in concussion protocol, Courtney Cronin of ESPN reports.
Johnson left last Thursday's win over Washington due to the head injury. The Bears will release their first Week 6 practice report later Wednesday, and if Johnson is able to take part in the session as at least a limited participant, it would be a sign that he's made some progression through the five-step protocol. The rookie running back is hoping to be available for the Bears' Week 6 game against the Vikings on Sunday, when he could be primed to take on a larger role with lead runner Khalil Herbert (ankle) likely to miss the contest.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Ruled out from return
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Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out for the rest of Thursday's game against the Commanders.
Johnson exited the game in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. While there's been no official announcement about his diagnosis, Johnson will be out for the game after recording three rushes for 19 yards. He'll have nine days to recover prior to the Bears' Week 6 matchup against the Vikings.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Being evaluated for concussion
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Johnson exited Thursday's game against the Commanders to be evaluated for a concussion.
Johnson exited midway through the second quarter. Prior to his exit, he had three carries for 19 yards. It's unclear if he'll be able to return.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Serves as clear No.2 runner
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Johnson rushed five times for 13 yards and caught one pass for two yards in the Bears' 31-28 loss to the Broncos on Sunday.
Johnson is often used as the passing-game running back when the Bears trail, but since the team led until that latter stages of the game, he saw significantly less work than Khalil Herbert. Despite his light usage in this contest, Johnson should have a good chance of seeing closer to 10 touches in a significant number of games as Chicago is likely to be trailing frequently this season.
