Key receivers sidelined as Bears face Packers. Can Chicago overcome these critical losses and secure a playoff spot?
The Chicago Bears are going into perhaps their biggest game of the season in Week 16, but it will have to be without some key players.
Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) attempted to get healthy enough to be cleared for the game; however, both players are now listed as out for the contest. Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (hamstring) is going to miss Saturday's game as well.
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (groin), tight end Cole Kmet (ankle/knee), defensive lineman Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (NIR-personal) and running back D'Andre Swift (groin) are going to be game-time decisions after being limited at practice this week.
The good news is that both Edmunds and Kmet were full participants on Thursday. However, it's not set in stone that Edmunds will play, as he still needs to be added to the 53-man roster ahead of kickoff.
Outside of Edmunds and Kmet, the other full participants on Thursday were quarterback Tyson Bagent (illness), defensive lineman Andrew Billings (illness) and running back Travis Homer (ankle). All three of them didn't carry injury designations.
Losing two starting receivers like Odunze and Burden couldn't happen at a worse time for Chicago. The Packers' pass defense ranks seventh in the league, allowing 208.6 yards per game.
The Bears will need a big game from D.J. Moore in the absence of both Odunze and Burden. Moore had a solid game in the 31-3 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 15, going for 69 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Chicago will need the likes of Olamide Zaccheaus, Colston Loveland, Jahdae Walker, or others to step up.
The Packers are also dealing with plenty of injuries. Edge rusher Micah Parsons suffered a torn ACL in the 34-26 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday and is done for the year.
Receiver Christian Watson's status for the game is in question after he suffered a chest injury in the same game. Watson had an outstanding performance against the Bears in Week 14, finishing with 89 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Watson didn't participate in Tuesday's practice and was limited for the Packers on Wednesday.
There's a lot on the line for Chicago, as a win and a Detroit Lions loss would clinch a playoff berth. It will all come down to Saturday at Soldier Field. The Packers still have a shot at winning the NFC North, even with a loss to the Bears in Week 16.
Kickoff is at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.