WR Rome Odunze will miss 4th consecutive game for Bears, but Luther Burden III poised to return

Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune on Dec 26, 2025

Published in Football

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CHICAGO — Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze will miss his fourth consecutive game after he was ruled out Friday afternoon ahead of Sunday night’s matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.

Odunze sat out the entire week of practice with a foot injury that has been nagging him for several weeks. The 2024 first-round draft pick hasn’t played since the Nov. 28 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Before his recent absences, Odunze caught 44 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns. He led the team in all three categories before the foot injury sidelined him.

Earlier this week, Bears coach Ben Johnson said Odunze is “going to be able to help us this year.” But it won’t be this weekend.

The Bears played without Odunze and rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III in last week’s win over the Green Bay Packers. DJ Moore stepped up and made the game-winning catch in overtime.

In positive injury news, the Bears should have Burden back this week. He injured his ankle against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 14 but was back at practice this week and holds no injury designation for the 49ers game. His return would give Moore some help.

“Being on the sideline is not fun,” Burden said. “It’s good to cheer the guys on, but I want to be out there, going out there competing and continuing to win games.”

Burden’s playing time had been going up steadily prior to the injury. He has 36 receptions for 479 yards and one touchdown this season.

“Just getting more and more involved as the season goes on,” Burden said. “I’m just trying to lock in and focus on everything I’ve got to do to help the team win.”

Cornerback Nick McCloud (illness) also was ruled out. Cornerbacks Josh Blackwell (illness), C.J. Gardner-Johnson (knee) and Nahshon Wright (hamstring/illness), linebacker T.J. Edwards (glute) and guard Luke Newman (foot) are listed as questionable.

A number of players have been sick this week.

“It’s this time of year,” Johnson said Friday. “I doubt we’re the only team dealing with it. We’re washing our hands, we’re being very diligent. Guys have masks on. You do what you can.”