The health of the Chicago Bears‘ roster is trending upward as the team heads into its regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field this weekend.
The wide receiver position group has been the shakiest of any over the last few weeks. Rome Odunze has missed the previous four games with a stress fracture in his foot, while rookie Luther Burden III sustained a quad injury on the final play of the team’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 17.
Chicago released its final official injury update of the week on Friday, January 2, which included good news on both Odunze and Burden. The Bears listed Odunze with a “questionable” designation, while Burden had no designation at all after full practice participation on Thursday and Friday.
Field Yates of ESPN elaborated on why Odunze’s designation means as much as it does for Chicago, which will head into the playoffs two weekends from now as either the No. 2 or 3 seed in the NFC.
“Of note: Bears WR Rome Odunze (foot) returned to practice today on a limited basis,” Yates posted to X. “He’s questionable to play Sunday, but whether he returns or not, it’s a sign of progress from the setback of his foot injury.”
Odunze was far and away the most accomplished wideout on the roster through Week 12, leading the team in every major statistical category in just his second NFL season.
Meanwhile, Burden’s advanced statistics — such as yards after catch per reception and passer rating when targeted — have been elite, particularly in the second half of the campaign, with regards to how he impacts play-by-play production and how he helps facilitate success in the pass game across the offense.
Luther Burden Has Battled Injuries All Year Long
GettyWide receiver Luther Burden III of the Chicago Bears.
Injuries have followed Burden throughout his initial campaign in the league, though they have only hampered him to a minimal degree.
He encountered a soft tissue problem ahead of training camp that kept him out of team activities for several weeks, which the team later revealed to be a hamstring injury. Burden then sat against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8 due to a concussion, but was able to return to play the following game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The rookie wideout then sustained an ankle injury against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15, which cost him a contest against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field two weeks ago that the Bears won in thrilling comeback fashion during overtime.
Through 14 games played, Burden has tallied 44 catches for 617 receiving yards and two scores. He has also rushed the football five times for 27 yards.
Bears Don’t Appear Likely to Rest Players in Week 18 Matchup With Lions
GettyChicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson.
The Bears can clinch the No. 2 seed in the conference with a victory against the Lions on Sunday. Chicago achieves the same outcome, regardless of a win or loss against Detroit, if the Philadelphia Eagles lose a home contest to the Washington Commanders in Week 18.
That said, head coach Ben Johnson has given no indication that he will rest any of his veterans or recently injured players in the team’s regular-season finale with an eye toward playoff health and/or rest.
“It doesn’t seem to be in line with Johnson’s process to rest anybody, but then again, if the game is in hand — or if the scoreboard watchers see the Washington Commanders putting the Eagles away — it might be prudent to take a few guys off the field,” Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic wrote Friday.
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