The Chicago Bears enter yet another critical week in the season, where they need a win to get the NFC North title and fight for the number one seed in the NFC playoffs.
Chicago might be off to a rough start with 14 players on the injury report for their Week 17 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The Bears have six players listed as out for the first practice, with the biggest name on the list being wide receiver Rome Odunze, who is dealing with a foot injury that has kept him out for about a month.
There was good news from the report that the Bears' other receiver, Luther Burden III, practiced for the first time in two weeks with his ankle injury. Burden missed the Bears' 22-16 overtime win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 16.
Here's the full injury report for the Bears to start Week 17:
12/24/2025 Bears Injury Report
- Devin Duvernay, WR (Illness, DNP)
- T.J. Edwards, LB (Glute, DNP)
- D'Marco Jackson, LB (Illness, DNP)
- Nick McCloud, CB (Illness, DNP)
- Rome Odunze, WR (Foot, DNP)
- Joe Thuney, OL (Rest, DNP)
- Luther Burden III, WR (Ankle, Limited)
- Kevin Byard III, S (Ankle, Limited)
- Drew Dalman, C (Ankle/Hand, Limited)
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson, CB (Knee, Limited)
- Travis Homer, RB (Ankle, Limited)
- Luke Newman, OL (Foot, Limited)
- Amen Ogbongbemiga, LB (Hamstring, Limited)
- Nahshon Wright, CB (Hamstring, Limited)
Bears have a lot of concerns to monitor for Week 17
Once again, the linebacker position is getting a lot of attention, with Edwards and Jackson both not practicing. The Bears just got Tremaine Edmunds back from the IR, so they're finally at full strength. They hope their linebackers, Edwards and Jackson, will be okay as the week goes on.
The special teams are also taking a hit; they have not had to deal with all season, and that is at the returner. Duvernay did not practice, which might open the door for Week 16 hero Josh Blackwell to step up in his place to be the returner if Duvernay doesn't improve.
Even with Odunze not practicing, Bears fans might feel better knowing Burden is at least back to practicing. Seeing undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker step up and catch the game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter will at least make it easier not to rush Odunze back if his foot isn't 100%.
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There are a lot of concerns entering the week for the Bears, but the team still has time to get its players back, so no need to panic before the holidays are in full force.