The end of the NFL season and a successful run through the playoffs is as much about player health as anything else, and the Chicago Bears are in a decent spot in that regard.
Chicago released its injury report on Wednesday, December 24 ahead of the team’s critical “Sunday Night Football” matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, which has major postseason implications within both the NFC North and NFC West Divisions, as well as the conference as a whole.
The Bears listed six players who did not practice, including second-year wideout Rome Odunze. However, one important update was the change in status for rookie wideout Luther Burden III.
Like Odunze, Burden was unable to go against the Green Bay Packers last Saturday. The Bears squeaked out an overtime win, but the offense clearly felt the absence of two of its top three receivers — tallying just six total points late into the fourth quarter.
Burden bumped up the injury report Wednesday from a DNP to a limited participant, which makes him more likely to suit up for a primetime showdown in Week 17.
Head coach Ben Johnson also offered a positive update on Odunze during a Tuesday press conference.
“He’s right on track,” Johnson said. “He’s going to be in a good spot.”
He added that Odunze is “going to be able to help us this year,” though whether that means next weekend against the 49ers, two weeks from now against the Detroit Lions or in the playoffs remains unclear.
49ers May Be Without George Kittle Against Bears
GettyTight end George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers.
Beyond Chicago’s own injury report, news coming out of San Francisco on Wednesday also potentially boosted the Bears’ chances of claiming a road victory in Northern California Sunday night.
“No George Kittle (ankle) at today’s practice,” Matt Barrows of The Athletic posted to X on December 24. “Kyle Shanahan said Kittle has ‘a chance to play’ Sunday versus the Bears.”
Kittle’s absence would be of significant consequence, as the upcoming contest will likely come down to which offense between the 49ers and Bears can regularly get the better of the other team’s flawed defensive unit.
Kittle sustained an ankle sprain against the Indianapolis Colts on “Monday Night Football,” though it is a low-to-mid ankle sprain, not a more serious high-ankle sprain.
Bears Can Clinch NFC North Division With Win in San Francisco
GettyQuarterback Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
The NFC playoff picture is muddled because of how tight everything is at the top of both the conference and every division, minus the Philadelphia Eagles‘ stranglehold on the East.
Currently, the Bears (11-4) occupy the No. 2 seed. If Chicago defeats the 49ers (11-4) or bests the Lions (8-7) in Week 18, the Bears will win the North and finish somewhere between the Nos. 1-3 seeds heading into the postseason.
Chicago can lose both contests and still guarantee itself a division crown and the No. 3 seed if the Packers (9-5-1) fall to either the Baltimore Ravens or Minnesota Vikings down the stretch. If the Bears lose twice and the Packers win twice, Chicago will be a wildcard and likely fall all the way to the No. 7 seed in the NFC.
The Seattle Seahawks (12-4) own the No. 1 seed currently and play the Carolina Panthers (currently the No. 4 seed at 8-7) next weekend before taking on the 49ers in San Francisco in Week 18.
Two Seahawks’ losses and two Bears’ wins to finish out the year would put Chicago in the conference’s top spot and guarantee a bye through Super Wildcard Weekend, as well as home field advantage all the way to the Super Bowl.
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