The Chicago Bears will have one of their key offensive players back on the field this weekend against the San Francisco 49ers in a game with major implications in the NFC.
Wide receivers Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze missed last week’s game against the Green Bay Packers. And while Odunze won’t be back Sunday night, Burden will be at the offense’s disposal in what could end up a shootout in the Bay Area.
“Bears WR Rome Odunze (foot) is out again this week, but WR Luther Burden III (ankle) has no injury designation after a full practice Friday,” Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported via social media.
Bears Taking Precautions With WR Rome Odunze
GettyChicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Burden, a second-round rookie this season, has recorded 36 receptions for 479 yards and one score across 13 games played. He has topped 100 yards receiving once, but has oddly finished games with negative yardage on three different occasions.
Still, Burden offers the Bears versatility in the slot and will be a welcome addition alongside wideout DJ Moore, who had a breakout game against the Green Bay Packers last week, and the tight end duo of Cole Kmet and rookie Colston Loveland.
Meanwhile, Odunze will miss his fourth straight outing with a stress fracture in his foot. Head coach Ben Johnson indicated earlier this week that Odunze was “right on track” and “going to be able to help us this year.”
That ultimately didn’t apply to this week, but Chicago has some breathing room after already clinching a playoff berth. The Bears will lock up the NFC North Division title, as well as the No. 2 or 3 seed in the NFC, with a win in San Francisco or a victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 18. The same will be true if the Packers lose once in either Week 17 or 18.
Chicago also remains in the hunt for the top seed in the conference and a bye through the opening weekend of the postseason, though that is a longer shot. Thus, the Bears have clearly prioritized Odunze’s health for the playoffs over pushing him back in an effort to position themselves more favorably heading into Super Wildcard Weekend.
49ers Could Be Down TE George Kittle, WR Ricky Pearsall Against Bears
GettyTight end George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers.
The pass-catching group in San Francisco is also in question a couple of days ahead of the Bears-49ers matchup.
Tight end George Kittle did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday with an ankle sprain. Meanwhile, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was a limited participant both days as he continues battling knee and ankle issues.
The 49ers had not updated their injury report as of 3:30 p.m. ET on Friday, though that update should bring some clarity, and potentially finality, to the statuses of both Kittle and Pearsall for Week 17.
The offenses of each team are liable to decide the game between the Bears (11-4) and 49ers (11-4) on “Sunday Night Football,” as both defenses have serious personnel deficiencies and have struggled to perform all season long. Chicago’s defense is ranked 24th in the league through 16 weeks, while San Francisco’s defense is rated 18th in the NFL.
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