Tremaine Edmunds returns to bolster the Bears' linebacker corps just in time for a crucial NFC North clash. This could be the missing piece for Chicago's playoff push.
The Chicago Bears will be down a few key players against the Green Bay Packers, unfortunately.
Receivers Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) are both out with injuries. Odunze has missed the last two games with the injury, while Burden suffered his ailment in the 31-3 win over the Cleveland Browns.
There is some good news for Chicago, however. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the team is planning to activate linebacker Tremaine Edmunds from the injured reserve ahead of Saturday's game with the Green Bay Packers.
Edmunds hasn't played since Week 11 due to a groin injury. He has 89 total tackles, three TFLs, four interceptions and one sack.
With Edmunds now back, the Bears will finally have all three starting linebackers healthy for Week 16. Edmunds was limited at practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, but was a full participant on Friday.
Chicago will be without reserve linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. He didn't participate until Thursday and was limited on that day.
Fans can look back at the Pittsburgh Steelers game, when the Bears were without Edmunds, T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell. D'Marco Jackson, Amen Ogbongbemiga and rookie Ruben Hyppolite II had to step in their absence, but the Bears got the job done and won 31-28.
Chicago will need all the help it can get on Saturday against Green Bay. A win paired with a Detroit Lions loss will guarantee that the Bears go to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
The Bears can't claim the No. 1 seed unless the Seattle Seahawks lose one of their next two games. Seattle faces the Carolina Panthers and the San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks took the No. 1 seed after the thrilling Thursday Night Football overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams.
If the Seahawks and Bears finish with the same record, they can take the No. 1 seed based on conference record, granted Chicago wins out.
The Bears can even the season series with the Packers on Saturday. The first meeting ended 28-21 in favor of the Packers.
Green Bay is also dealing with some significant injuries. Micah Parsons is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in the 34-26 loss to the Denver Broncos. Christian Watson sustained an injury in the same game and is questionable with a chest issue after a hard fall on a contested catch.
It all comes to Saturday night at Soldier Field, as the Bears and Packers kick off at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.