Johnson provides injury updates for Burden III and Odunze

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 2 hours ago

CHICAGO - Chicago had quite an impressive win against the Cleveland Browns. However, they did not escape without any injuries.

Rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III, who led the Bears in receiving yards, suffered an ankle injury that puts his status for Saturday's game against the Green Bay Packers in question. Dec. 20 (7:20 p.m. / FOX) in question.

“His ankle is something we’re still working through and talking about,” head coach Ben Johnson said. “We’ll see how this week goes in terms of whether we’ll have him available for Saturday night or not, but it’s (more) of a day-by-day type deal with him.”

In addition, Chicago’s top wide receiver, Rome Odunze, has missed the past two weeks with a heel injury. To make matters worse, it appears he could miss more time as Johnson is contemplating shutting him down.

However, this decision reflects an essential part of Johnson’s philosophy as a coach: a player’s health always comes first.

“All options are on the table. We’re going to do what’s best for Rome, first and foremost. I know he wants to be out there and helping. It’s hard to tell him no sometimes,” Johnson said. “He just wants to be out on the field competing and contributing and helping our team win, and so, there may be a case that we got to protect him from himself a little bit just to make sure we get him right and he’ll be able to help us down the road.”

Injuries have been a frequent problem for the Bears this season, with wide receiver, linebacker, and secondary injuries. However, Johnson made sure to teach the entire scheme to every player in the preseason to ensure they can fill multiple roles.

This has proved incredibly useful given all the injuries.

“When things go the way they’ve gone, and guys go down, and the next guy has to step up, the big picture view goes a long way. Caleb and I were just talking about that. We never want robots out there, guys that are just running the line that’s on the picture,” Johnson said. “We need guys that understand what the intent of the play is so that when we get something we’re not anticipating, we’re able to make it right, and so, I think we’re working through that. I think the guys are learning more and more each week. The more reps we get, the better off we are. But certainly when new guys get called upon, the work that they’ve put into it - both springtime, camp, up through the season up to this point - it all adds up, and so, we shouldn’t miss a beat if another guy’s number is called.”

Being able to have players step up when injuries present themselves will be key to making the playoffs. The NFC is highly competitive this season, with the Philadelphia Eagles close to clinching their division, the NFC West featuring three teams with at least nine victories, and the NFC North featuring three teams with at least eight wins.

However, the Chicago Bears could clinch a playoff spot as early as this week with a win against Green Bay on Saturday and the Pittsburgh Steelers defeating the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

“I think very highly of our division. I always have, and I think this year’s no different, and so, Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, those are three really good ball teams regardless of record. They’re all really good. Philly won the Super Bowl a year ago and they came back and won 31 to nothing (Sunday) I believe and so, they’re always a team that you bring to the forefront,” Johnson said. “It seems like that NFC West in particular, that’s a dog fight, and it’s going to come down to the end much like the NFC North.”