Key Bears players return as Chicago eyes the No. 2 playoff seed. Will Rome Odunze finally play against the Lions?
The Chicago Bears announced their final injury report before the Week 18 clash with the Detroit Lions on Friday.
There is a chance for some revenge for Chicago after losing 52-21 in Week 2, which was head coach Ben Johnson's first game back in Detroit since his time there as Dan Campbell's offensive coordinator from 2022-24.
However, the Bears' main priority is to secure the highest possible playoff seed. The Bears can take home the No. 2 seed with a win over the Lions, or if the Philadelphia Eagles lose to the Washington Commanders.
The Eagles are reportedly sitting their starters, so it very well could happen. Philadelphia is holding onto the No. 3 seed after winning the NFC East in Week 17.
First and foremost, the injury report showed that there's a chance Rome Odunze finally plays. He aggravated the stress fracture in his foot in the 24-15 win over the Eagles earlier this season and hasn't played since.
Odunze was listed as questionable heading into the matchup, along with Jaquan Brisker (illness), Nick McCloud (illness) and Ozzy Trapilo (knee/quad).
The only player marked as out was defensive lineman Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (concussion). He didn't participate in any practices this week.
Outside of that, it looks like everyone else didn't carry any injury designations. Special teamer Josh Blackwell (shoulder), receiver Luther Burden III (quad), guard Jonah Jackson (illness) and receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (illness) were all cleared to play.
This is excellent news for the receiver room, as both Burden and Zaccheaus are good to go, with the likelihood of Odunze playing as well.
Burden appeared to have suffered a significant injury in the 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. After the final play, he was seen grabbing his leg and was carted off the field. However, he was seen answering questions in the locker room afterwards.
Burden has stepped up recently, along with D.J. Moore, in the wake of Odunze's injury. Burden set a new season-high in receiving yards in Week 17, finishing with 138 and one touchdown as well.
If the Bears can finally have a healthy receiving corps heading into the postseason, it would go a long way. We'll have to wait until moments before kickoff to see if that will be the case for Sunday.
The Bears can get their first win of 2026 at Soldier Field. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. CT on Fox.