Banged-Up Bears Face Crucial Week 17 Showdown with 49ers Amid Injury Concerns
The Chicago Bears are staring down one of their biggest games of the season - and they’re doing it with a roster that’s looking more like a MAS*H unit than a playoff contender. With the NFC North title and a shot at the conference’s top seed still in play, Week 17’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers has massive implications. But the Bears are heading into this one with 14 players on the injury report and more questions than answers.
Let’s start with the headline: Rome Odunze, the team’s breakout rookie wide receiver, is still sidelined with a foot injury that’s kept him out for nearly a month. He didn’t practice on Tuesday, and while the Bears haven’t officially ruled him out yet, the clock is ticking. Odunze has been a game-changer when healthy, and his absence would be a major blow to an offense that needs all its weapons firing against a tough Niners defense.
There was at least a glimmer of good news on the receiver front. Luther Burden III, who missed last week’s overtime win over Green Bay with an ankle injury, was back on the practice field in a limited capacity. It's his first practice action in two weeks - a promising sign for a unit that’s been stretched thin.
Here's how the Bears' injury report looked to open the week:
12/24/2025 Chicago Bears Injury Report
Did Not Practice (DNP):
- Devin Duvernay, WR (Illness)
- T.J. Edwards, LB (Glute)
- D'Marco Jackson, LB (Illness)
- Nick McCloud, CB (Illness)
- Rome Odunze, WR (Foot)
- Joe Thuney, OL (Rest)
Limited Participation:
- Luther Burden III, WR (Ankle)
- Kevin Byard III, S (Ankle)
- Drew Dalman, C (Ankle/Hand)
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson, CB (Knee)
- Travis Homer, RB (Ankle)
- Luke Newman, OL (Foot)
- Amen Ogbongbemiga, LB (Hamstring)
- Nahshon Wright, CB (Hamstring)
Linebacker Depth Getting Tested Again
The linebacker group has been in the spotlight all season, and that continues this week. **T.J.
Edwards** and D'Marco Jackson were both non-participants Tuesday, adding to the ongoing shuffle at the position. The Bears did recently get Tremaine Edmunds back from injured reserve, which helps stabilize things, but they’re still walking a tightrope in terms of depth and health.
If Edwards and Jackson can’t go, it puts even more pressure on Edmunds to lead a unit that’s been patching things together for much of the year. The Bears have leaned heavily on their linebackers in both run support and coverage, so this situation is one to watch closely as the week progresses.
Special Teams in Flux
For most of the season, the Bears’ return game has been quietly reliable - but that could change this week. Devin Duvernay, who’s handled return duties, missed practice due to illness. That opens the door for Josh Blackwell, who made a splash in Week 16 with a game-saving performance, to potentially step into a bigger role on special teams.
Blackwell’s versatility and spark make him a logical next man up if Duvernay can’t go. It’s not ideal to be shuffling key special teams roles this late in the season, especially against a 49ers team that thrives on field position and execution, but the Bears may have no choice.
Young Receivers Stepping Up
While Odunze’s status is a concern, the Bears have to feel encouraged by what they saw from Jahdae Walker last week. The undrafted rookie came up huge with a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Packers - a moment that not only helped seal the win, but also showed that this receiving corps has more depth than it’s been given credit for.
If Odunze isn’t ready, the Bears may be more comfortable rolling with Walker and a hopefully healthy Burden. It’s not ideal, but it’s also not a disaster - especially with quarterback play that’s been trending upward in recent weeks.
No Need to Panic - Yet
Yes, the injury list is long. And yes, the stakes are high.
But it’s still early in the week, and there’s time for several of these players to get healthy enough to suit up. The Bears have been resilient all season, and they’ll need every ounce of that grit heading into a showdown with a 49ers team that doesn’t give away anything easy.
For now, it’s a waiting game - and a race against the clock - as Chicago tries to get its key pieces back in time for a game that could define their season.