No matter what happens over the last two weeks of the regular season, the 11-4 Bears are heading for the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Like most successful teams, they’ve had to overcome injuries to important contributors. Wide receiver Rome Odunze and cornerback Kyler Gordon are among key Bears who have missed time this year. Both players could return in the coming weeks.
Chicago has gone three straight games without Odunze, who’s dealing with a stress fracture in his foot. Odunze is trending toward missing this Sunday’s high-stakes meeting with the 49ers, another contender for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, per Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Bears have considered placing Odunze on injured reserve, but doing so now would render him ineligible for two playoff games (if the team advances that far). Head coach Ben Johnson still believes Odunze is “going to be able to help us this year” (via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune).
Perhaps Odunze will be ready for a Week 18 matchup against Detroit. If not, an immediate postseason return appears realistic.
With 44 catches, 661 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games, Odunze led all Bears receivers in those categories before his absence. The Bears have won two of three without him, though, with D.J. Moore and two rookies – first-round tight end Colston Loveland and second-round receiver Luther Burden – serving as quarterback Caleb Williams’ most reliable targets for a large portion of that stretch.
Burden missed a thrilling Week 16 win over the Packers with an ankle injury, but he combined for 10 receptions and 151 yards in the previous two weeks. After returning to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, it’s possible Burden will reenter the lineup on Sunday.
While Odunze has avoided a stint on IR, Gordon hasn’t been as fortunate. Gordon’s regular season came to an early end when a groin injury forced him to IR on Dec. 13. The standout nickel corner was previously on IR this season with groin and calf issues. He also missed the Bears’ first four games with a hamstring malady. Gordon has played just three games during an injury-ravaged 2025, though Johnson said he’s “hopeful” the 26-year-old will come back in the playoffs (via Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network). He’ll be eligible for activation in the first round.
The late-October free agent addition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson has helped cover for Gordon’s health struggles this year. In eight games with the Bears, Gardner-Johnson has put up 40 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. He was on the field for 78% of defensive snaps against Green Bay before departing with a knee injury. With Gardner-Johnson a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, there’s hope he’ll be available against the surging 49ers.
Last week the Bears let the Packers control the clock and ground game and they were very lucky to steal that win. Chicago needs to stick with their strength (rushing) and getting those penalties under control wouldn’t hurt either.
NFC North has been a topsy turvy this season. It’s great seeing Chicago doing great again.