The Chicago Bears were less than three yards away from defeating the San Francisco 49ers on “Sunday Night Football” but lost the game, and potentially more than that, on the last play of the night.
Quarterback Caleb Williams took the snap, avoided pressure and rolled out into the left flat to create more time for the play to develop across the end zone. He ultimately short-armed a throw to wide receiver Luther Burden III while under pressure, which fell incomplete.
Burden went to the ground in an attempt to make the catch, where he remained well after officials blew the final whistle. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported via social media that Burden appeared to have suffered a potentially major injury on the last play of the game.
“Luther Burden tried to walk off but fell back down to the ground momentarily,” Cronin wrote. “He’s up now with trainers walking gingerly.”
“Burden is now getting carted off the field,” Cronin added in a second post.
First-hand accounts indicated that Burden may have been clutching at his left hamstring before going down again and requiring assistance from the cart to exit the field. The team, however, has yet to confirm either the nature or severity of the rookie wideout’s injury.
Bears Expect to Have Rome Odunze Back for First Round of NFC Playoffs
GettyChicago Bears quarterback Rome Odunze.
Bears wideout Rome Odunze did not play for the fourth consecutive game due to a stress fracture in his foot. Chicago’s plan is likely to bring Odunze back for the opening round of the NFC playoffs, a move that may be even more crucial depending on the severity of Burden’s injury.
With the loss Sunday, the Bears can no longer claim the top seed in the conference, which means a bye through Super Wildcard Weekend is off the table. However, Chicago will be either the No. 2 or 3 seed in the NFC, which means at least one home game in the postseason.
The Bears can clinch the second seed with a win over the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on Sunday, January 4. They will also earn the No. 2 seed, regardless of outcome, if the Philadelphia Eagles lose to the Washington Commanders at home in Week 18.
Chicago holds the tiebreak over the Eagles after defeating them in Philadelphia in late November by a score of 24-15.
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