Chicago morning sports watch: Swanson checkpoint, Bears availability and Bulls schedule

Chicago's Friday sports file has three separate items to track. The Cubs are in Cincinnati for the start of a three-game series, and MLB's latest report says Dansby Swanson completed simulated work at Wrigley and remains on target for activation before the opener.

The Bears' Week 2 matchup has unresolved availability on both sides. Minnesota's official report lists Kyler Murray in concussion protocol and Jordan Mason on injured reserve. Chicago's latest published report has Darnell Wright back to limited work and both D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai limited, with the final Friday designations still to come.

The Bulls are in the offseason calendar, but their official schedule gives the 2026-27 season a clear opening path: Toronto on Oct. 21, Milwaukee on Oct. 23 and Washington at the United Center on Oct. 24. Training camp opens Sept. 29 for most NBA teams.

The later Bears report will determine which of the Sunday matchup questions become game-day decisions. The Cubs activation and lineup call will be the immediate baseball checkpoint, while the Bulls' next meaningful team date is the start of camp.