Bears rule out WRs Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III for Saturday's game vs. Packers

Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune on Dec 18, 2025

Published in Football

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CHICAGO — The likelihood the Chicago Bears would be missing two of their top receivers Saturday against the Green Bay Packers is now a reality.

Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) were nonparticipants for a third straight day in Thursday’s final practice report and were ruled out for Saturday’s game at Soldier Field.

It’s the third straight game the Bears will be without Odunze, their leading receiver. Burden previously missed the Week 9 game in Cincinnati while in concussion protocol.

Coach Ben Johnson hinted that depth and special teams players likely will receive more playing time.

Return specialist Devin Duvernay played 10 snaps at wide receiver Sunday against the Cleveland Browns and had a 4-yard catch wiped out when the Bears accepted a Browns penalty.

Former training camp standout Jahdae Walker has been active for six games this season and has played only seven snaps on offense, including two during the first meeting with the Packers two weeks ago at Lambeau Field.

Maurice Alexander and JP Richardson have spent the entire season on the practice squad.

“I’ve been really pleased with that room,” Johnson said. “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.

“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. … 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.”

Meanwhile, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (groin) was upgraded to a full participant in Thursday’s practice, a sign he may be activated from injured reserve before Saturday’s game. The Bears listed Edmunds as questionable.

The injury report hadn’t come out before Johnson spoke to the media Thursday, but he said: “If we can get Tremaine back, it’s a huge bonus. He was playing tremendous football before the injury.”

Despite missing four games, Edmunds ranks first on the team in tackles (89), tied for second in passes defensed (nine) and third in interceptions (four).

“He’s a huge asset in coverage,” Johnson said. “Just because of how long he is, it’s hard to get the ball around him when we’re playing zones.”

Running back D’Andre Swift popped up on Wednesday’s report as limited with a groin injury, and he remained limited Thursday. He was listed as questionable, as was tight end Cole Kmet (ankle/knee) despite being upgraded to full participation.

“I’m going to play,” Kmet said after practice.

Reserve linebacker and special teams mainstay Amen Ogbongbemiga was ruled out with a hamstring injury, and defensive end Joe Tyron-Shoyinka (personal) is questionable.

Full participants included backup quarterback Tyson Bagent (illness), defensive tackle Andrew Billings (illness) and running back/special teamer Travis Homer (ankle), all of whom carry no injury designation for Saturday’s game.