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Bears injury report: Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III out vs. Packers

3 hours agoScott Bair

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Rome Odunze has been dealing with a stress fracture in his foot for weeks. It healed enough for the Bears receiver to be cleared to play in Week 15 against Cleveland, only to have the injury aggravated in pregame warmups.

That has put him back on the shelf. He didn’t practice all week and was formally ruled of Saturday’s game versus the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. This information was included on the official Bears injury report, which was released on Thursday afternoon.

The same news came for rookie receiver Luther Burden III, who suffered a groin injury in a 31-3 victory over the Browns despite him being the game’s leading receiver. He is officially out versus the Packers.

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Tight end Cole Kmet (ankle/knee) was limited some during the practice week and is formally questionable. So is running back D’Andre Swift (groin) was also a bit limited during Wednesday and Thursday practices. That would a tough blow if either guy can’t go, especially with Odunze and Burden already out.

Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (hamstring) was also ruled out. Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (personal) is formally questionable.

Tremaine Edmunds (groin) is another wild card here, having been designated to return off injured reserve on Monday. He was designated as questionable, though the interior linebacker remains on IR and the Bears would have to make a transaction to activate him. That news would likely come Friday. That would be of great benefit to Chicago despite the fact D’Marco Jackson has played well with T.J. Edwards in his stead.

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While the Bears will be without some key receivers, they still have options. DJ Moore is fresh off a huge, two-touchdown performance. Olamide Zaccheaus is productive in the slot. And tight end Colston Loveland can play anywhere across the formation and has been the team’s leading receiver since Week 6.

Head coach Ben Johnson is also confident in those further down the depth chart, who might be called upon in a situation like this.

“We’ve got some young guys in there that we were really impressed with throughout training camp that ended up on being on the practice squad,” Johnson said in a Thursday press conference, before the injury report was announced. “If called upon, I think they’ve done a great job soaking the offense in over the course of the season so far and being involved. Coach El has done a great job with them just keeping them engaged and walking through. They’re in a great spot and I feel that way about all the guys that are either on the practice squad or have been primarily special teams players to this point.”