Bears Injury Report: Key Offensive Weapons in Doubt Ahead of Crucial Clash with Packers
As the Bears gear up for a pivotal Week 16 NFC North showdown against the Green Bay Packers, the injury report out of Chicago is raising some real concerns-especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III both missed Wednesday’s practice, and their availability for Sunday is very much in question. Add in linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (hamstring), who also didn’t practice, and you’ve got a trio of Bears dealing with injuries at a critical point in the season.
Here’s a full look at the Bears’ latest injury report from December 17:
Did Not Practice (DNP):
- Rome Odunze, WR - Foot
- Luther Burden III, WR - Ankle
- Amen Ogbongbemiga, LB - Hamstring
Limited Participation:
- Tremaine Edmunds, LB - Groin
- Cole Kmet, TE - Ankle/Knee
- D’Andre Swift, RB - Groin
Full Participation:
- Tyson Bagent, QB - Illness
- Andrew Billings, DL - Illness
- Travis Homer, RB - Ankle
Offense Feeling the Strain
Let’s start with the wideouts. Odunze is now in danger of missing his third straight game, having already sat out the first Packers matchup and the Week 15 win over Cleveland.
That’s a big blow for a player who’s shown flashes of being a game-changer when healthy. Burden, meanwhile, picked up his ankle injury in that Cleveland game, and the fact he’s not practicing suggests it’s more than a minor knock.
If both Odunze and Burden are sidelined, expect DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus to see a significant uptick in targets. Moore’s been trending upward in recent weeks and could be poised for a heavy workload. Zaccheaus, known for his speed and versatility, may get a chance to show he can be more than just a rotational piece.
But it’s not just the receivers. Tight end Cole Kmet and running back D’Andre Swift were both limited, and their statuses are worth monitoring closely.
Kmet’s been a reliable safety valve in the passing game, and Swift’s explosiveness out of the backfield has added a new layer to Chicago’s ground attack. If either of them is limited or ruled out, the Bears' offensive game plan could need a major overhaul.
That said, the Bears do have some intriguing depth. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland and running back Kyle Monangai could be called upon to step into larger roles. Both have shown promise in limited action, but asking them to carry the load in a high-stakes divisional matchup is a tall order.
Defense Gets a Boost, But Still Watching Edmunds
On the defensive side, there’s a bit more optimism. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds returned to limited practice after having his 21-day window opened. It’s still uncertain whether he’ll be ready to go by Sunday, but his return to the field is a step in the right direction.
In the meantime, the Bears will continue to lean on D’Marco Jackson, who’s coming off a strong performance that earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Alongside T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell, Jackson has helped stabilize a linebacker unit that’s been tested by injuries all season.
Final Thoughts
This is not the injury report the Bears wanted heading into a must-win game against a division rival. With playoff implications on the line and the offense already dealing with multiple question marks, Chicago is going to need depth players to rise to the occasion.
There’s still time for things to change before kickoff, but as it stands, the Bears’ passing game is walking a tightrope. If Odunze and Burden can’t go, and if Kmet or Swift are limited, it’s going to take some creative play-calling and a next-man-up mentality to keep pace with a Packers team that’s fighting for its own postseason life.
The final injury report later this week will tell us more, but right now, the Bears are hoping for good news-and fast.