Injury Update: Three Key Steelers Players Suffer Serious Injuries in 22-16 Win Over Packers — Ben Johnson Calls It “Early Script for Super Bowl Matchup”

Chicago, Illinois – December 22, 2025

The 22–16 overtime victory by the Chicago Bears over the Green Bay Packers not only clinched a playoff berth for Chicago, it also revealed the harsh cost of December football. As Soldier Field echoed with celebration, the Bears were forced to confront a sobering reality in the locker room: three key contributors were sidelined with injuries.

The offense absorbed the heaviest blow. Rome Odunze was ruled out with a foot injury, while Luther Burden III exited with an ankle injury. Both have been central pieces in Chicago’s evolving offensive structure, particularly in recent weeks as defenses tightened coverage and challenged the Bears to win on high-difficulty throws.

On the defensive side, Amen Ogbongbemiga was also ruled out with a hamstring injury, thinning the linebacker rotation at a critical moment when Green Bay increased tempo and pressure. His absence strained the middle of the defense, an area vital to maintaining structure and discipline late in games.

Despite the losses, the Bears held firm. They adjusted personnel on the fly, stayed composed in key situations, and pushed the game into overtime before delivering the decisive blow against their longtime rival. Still, head coach Ben Johnson struck a cautious tone afterward when discussing the toll of the night.

“The intensity of this game really wasn’t any different than a Super Bowl,” Johnson said. “Every collision was happening at the highest level, with no room for hesitation. When you lose important people in that kind of environment, our responsibility is to protect them so this group can enter the decisive stretch intact.”

The injuries underscore exactly where the Bears now stand: every game carries a playoff edge. Odunze and Burden provide speed, separation, and vertical stress; Ogbongbemiga anchors the second level and helps stabilize the defense when opponents accelerate. Without them, Chicago leaned on discipline, resilience, and in-game adjustments to survive.

The coaching staff indicated the medical team will conduct thorough evaluations in the coming days to determine recovery timelines and availability moving forward. With the schedule tightening and stakes rising, every decision will prioritize long-term health.

The scoreboard will show 22–16 and a playoff clinch.
But the message from Soldier Field was unmistakable: the Bears have entered a phase where every win comes at a price — and protecting the people in uniform matters as much as any scheme if Chicago hopes to push deeper toward the Super Bowl.