Bears news provides timely boost for 49ers as playoff push continues

Late December football can mean relatively little for some teams. It can mean the world to others. For the San Francisco 49ers there are two games left and how their postseason looks is still to be decided. The penultimate game is against the surprisingly impressive Bears – definitely not a gimmie – so news filtering out of Chicago must have provided a little extra positivity.

Who’s out for the Bears vs 49ers?

The Chicago Bears will again be without wide receiver Rome Odunze, sidelined by a foot injury for a fourth straight game. Before that, Odunze had quietly become the security blanket for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, especially when plays broke down and decisions needed to be fast.

If you’ve been paying attention you’ll know that Chicago hasn’t exactly collapsed without him. DJ Moore remains productive, and the expected return of Luther Burden III gives the offense more options. Still, the continued Odunze-shaped hole is a boost.

San Francisco isn’t injury-free itself. George Kittle remains questionable, leading to the elevation of Brayden Willis, while Ricky Pearsall could return.

Odunze’s absence won’t win the game by itself. But in December, when you need every W, it may just help.

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