A big hole opened between Chicago Bears center Coleman Shelton and right guard Nate Davis on Sunday night against the Houston Texans, and D’Andre Swift charged through it for a gain of 7 yards. Swift’s fifth carry at NRG Stadium was a good start to a second-quarter drive. The problem, as the Bears futilely tried to spark their offense in a 19-13 loss, is that it was the longest carry by a Bears running back all night. And the second-longest this season. Through two games behind a struggling offensive line, the Bears run game has been among the worst in the league. They rank 28th with 77.5 rushing yards per game. And take out quarterback Caleb Williams’ team-leading 59 yards, and the Bears have totaled just 96 yards on the ground in two games. It’s a hot topic at Halas Hall this week — along with the Bears’ inability to keep pressure off Williams — in particular because they have a prime opportunity to shake off the issues in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. The struggling run game now goes up against the worst run defense in the league. The Colts have allowed 237 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry. Speaking in the locker room Thursday, Swift said “it’s always a great opportunity to get the run game going.” And while he’s hardly the only person to blame, he puts it on himself. “I don’t want to put anything on anybody else,” he said. “My game, all my reads, got to be damn near perfect. Just making sure I’m doing my job and being better for the man next to me and the men on the outside. So it starts with me.” The Bears signed Swift to a three-year, $24 million deal in the offseason to bolster an already productive group of running backs led by Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson. The fifth-year veteran topped 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career in 2023 with the Philadelphia Eagles, and he also brought pass-catching skills to aid a rookie quarterback. But Swift has 24 carries for 48 yards (2 per carry), including 14 carries for 18 yards Sunday. Seven of his carries have gone for negative yardage. And his longest run, a 20-yarder in the opening win against the Tennessee Titans, required him to hurdle a defender to gain the final 14 yards. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) heads for the locker room after a 19-13 loss to the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) grabs the jersey of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) greet each other after a 19-13 Texans win at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) is tackled by Texans safety Jimmie Ward (20) after a reception in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, left, sits on the bench with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, right, after throwing an interception against the Texans in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (4) celebrates after intercepting a pass intended for Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium Sunday Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Bears running back Khalil Herbert (24) dives to the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bears safety Jaquan Brisker (9) looks at the video board in the third quarter against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) runs after a reception in the fourth quarter against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (4) walks on the field during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium Sunday Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) is helped off the ground after getting sacked in the fourth quarter against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon almost makes an interception during the third quarter against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) is tackled by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) lies on the turf after getting sacked by Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) in the third quarter at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) misses a touchdown catch during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium Sunday Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (98) laughs after losing his helmet during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium Sunday Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) falls on the field after getting tackled during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium Sunday Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) intercepts a pass for Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) during the third quarter at NRG Stadium Sunday Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)The ball flies past Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) as Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (4) defends in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) intercepts a pass intended for Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) in the third quarter at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) slides after running the ball for a first down during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium Sunday Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) celebrates after kicking a three-point field goal during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium Sunday Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Bears fans watch the third quarter against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) takes the handoff from quarterback Caleb Williams (18) in the first quarter against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker (95) is held by Texans offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil as running back Joe Mixon rushes in the first quarter at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker gets first bumps from head coach Matt Eberflus before a game against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) takes the field before the Bears play the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent warms up before a game against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up on the field before the Bears play the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) high-fives fans before the Bears play the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Bears quarterback Caleb Williams stretches with teammates before a game against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Fans walk outside the stadium before the Chicago Bears play the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)John Tarpey, vice president of security for the Bears, gets in on a photograph with former Texans cheerleaders before a game against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)From left, Cheryl Boblitt King and Sharon Medford stand outside the stadium wearing cowboy boots before the Chicago Bears play the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent warms up before a game against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bears general manager Ryan Poles walks the perimeter of the field before a game against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up on the field before the Bears play the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) walks on the field before the Bears play the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)Bears general manager Ryan Poles throws a football before a game against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (23) walks to the locker room before the Bears play the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium Sunday Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)A person wearing a cowboy hat walks on the field before a game between the Texans and Bears at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Show Caption1 of 41Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) heads for the locker room after a 19-13 loss to the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Expand   Swift said the start to his season has been as frustrating as anything he has experienced. But he doesn’t avoid that frustration. “I attack it head on,” he said. “It’s something I don’t take lightly, finding ways to get back to work and finding ways that I can be better.” When offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was asked how the Bears can spark the run game this week in Indianapolis, he went back to his mantra that it starts with fundamentals and basics for the whole offense. “Starting up front where we are hitting our blocks, we’re staying in phase, we are in a good rhythm with the backs, includes the tight ends, includes the receivers,” Waldron said. “Obviously the run game is something every single week that we want to be able to lean on, so we’ve got to be able to get that going. Through great fundamental work and the practice preparation, I feel like we are heading in the right direction.” Waldron has leaned heavily on Swift. Herbert, who topped 600 rushing yards each of the last two seasons, has just four carries for 7 yards. Travis Homer has three carries for 16 yards. And Johnson, a physical runner who rushed for 352 yards as a rookie, hasn’t played an offensive snap. Johnson missed time in training camp with a toe injury and was inactive in Week 1 as Waldron said he was ramping up. “Feel good with Swift, with Khalil and with Roschon and the different styles they can bring,” Waldron said. “So, yeah, each week evaluating what fits them best. Every week is its own individual entity and (it’s) figuring out how they fit into the game plan this week, figuring out how we can maximize their tools.” Multiple Bears players and coaches have talked this week about how getting the run game going could ease some of the passing struggles — and help Williams as he deals with a rookie learning curve. Waldron believes there’s a “direct correlation” between offensive linemen getting in a run-blocking and a pass-blocking groove. “The better you hit run blocks, the more you can wear out and lean on a defensive line,” he said. “Those are just body blows that accumulate throughout the course of the game that help you, especially when you talk about how you can wear down a defensive line, then leading into a two-minute situation. “Or you can extend drives, keep those guys out on the field for a longer period of time. So those two things go hand in hand.” Related Articles Chicago Bears | The Caleb Williams File: How can the Chicago Bears and their rookie QB better deal with pressure? Chicago Bears | 3 things we learned from the Chicago Bears, including what was behind DJ Moore’s visible frustration during loss Chicago Bears | Tracking Caleb Williams: How the Chicago Bears QB is performing in his rookie season Chicago Bears | Chicago community groups join forces to oppose new Bears stadium on the lakefront Chicago Bears | Chicago Bears Q&A: Did GM Ryan Poles miscalculate the offensive line needs? Could he trade for help in the trenches? It doesn’t help that the offensive line is dealing with a couple of injuries this week. Left guard Teven Jenkins (deep thigh bruise) and Davis (groin) have been limited. But Davis said after a tough film review Monday, the line is ready to move forward. “We weren’t happy,” he said. “No one likes losing. We just have to take the coaching, understand we need to get better and try to flush it today and keep moving.” Swift is confident a turnaround is on the horizon because of the way the Bears work and the type of players and coaches they have. And he’s fine with saying it starts with him. “I’m going to be better,” Swift said. “There’s nothing to be but be better. That’s how I’m going to take it.” Injury report Wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel), defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin) and fullback Khari Blasingame didn’t practice Thursday. Jenkins returned in a limited capacity after sitting out Wednesday. Also limited were Davis, defensive ends Montez Sweat (elbow) and DeMarcus Walker (foot), defensive tackle Andrew Billings (groin), wide receiver Rome Odunze (knee) and running back Travis Homer (finger).