Bears' Injury Woes Mount Ahead of Crucial Showdown with Packers
The Chicago Bears are limping into their Week 16 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, and not just figuratively. Friday’s final injury report confirmed the worst-case scenario for a team still fighting to stay relevant in the playoff picture - two of their young, high-upside wide receivers are officially out, and several key offensive contributors are in danger of joining them on the sideline.
Odunze, Burden Out - and That’s a Big Problem
Rookie standout Rome Odunze will miss his third straight game due to a lingering foot injury. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a Bears offense that’s been searching for rhythm and explosiveness late in the season.
Odunze had started to carve out a real role before the injury, offering a reliable target with big-play potential. With his absence now stretching into a third week, questions are swirling about whether the team should’ve shut him down earlier to preserve his availability for this critical stretch.
Joining him on the inactive list is fellow wideout Luther Burden III, who’s dealing with an ankle injury. Burden brought much-needed juice to the offense when he was on the field, showing flashes of being that game-breaking threat the Bears desperately need. Without him, the vertical element of Chicago’s passing game takes a serious hit.
That leaves DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus as the primary options at receiver - and neither has been playing their best football lately. Moore’s numbers are down from earlier in the season, and Zaccheaus, once a promising depth piece, has seen his role diminish since Burden emerged. Now, they’ll be leaned on heavily to carry the load against a Packers secondary that’s been opportunistic all year.
Injury Uncertainty Looms Over Swift, Kmet, Edmunds, Tryon-Shoyinka
As if things weren’t already dicey, the Bears have four players listed as questionable heading into Sunday.
Running back D’Andre Swift is dealing with a groin issue and was only able to practice in a limited capacity late in the week. That’s not an encouraging sign for a player whose value lies in his explosiveness and change-of-direction ability. If Swift can’t go - or is limited - the Bears lose a major weapon in both the run and pass game.
Tight end Cole Kmet is also on the report with ankle and knee concerns, though he was a full participant in practice. That’s a positive development, but with so many weapons already unavailable, the Bears can’t afford to lose another key piece - especially someone like Kmet, who’s been a steady presence in the middle of the field and a red-zone target.
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is also questionable with a groin injury, but there’s some optimism there. Head coach Ben Johnson has expressed confidence that Edmunds could be ready to go, and his presence would be a major boost for a defense that needs to hold the line if the offense can’t keep pace.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is listed as questionable as well, though his absence would be due to personal reasons, not injury. His availability will be monitored closely leading up to kickoff.
A Critical Game, With a Shorthanded Roster
This isn’t just another divisional game - it’s a late-season clash with major implications, and the Bears are heading into it with a depleted roster. If Swift and Kmet can’t suit up, Chicago would be down four offensive starters, including two of its most promising young receivers.
That’s not the kind of scenario you want to face when going up against a rival like Green Bay - especially not at this point in the season, when every snap carries playoff weight.
The Bears will need to lean on veterans, hope for a few breakout performances, and maybe even catch a break or two. Because right now, the injury bug isn’t just biting - it’s taking chunks out of their playoff hopes.