None of the Bears’ injured or ill players were upgraded on a projected injury report issued by the team on Christmas, when there was no actual practice.

Josh Blackwell did join the list of several Bears who would not have participated in practice due to illness, but the real focus on injuries remained on the 49ers and tight end George Kittle.

The 49ers listed their perennial All-Pro tight end as a non-participant for the second  straight day due to an ankle injury. If Kittle can’t play, it’s possible former Bears undrafted tight end Jake Tonges would have the chance to burn his former team. He is the 49ers tight end with the second-most receptions with 27 for 233 yards.

Tonges was waived by the Bears after one season, before the end of 2023 preseason, and then caught on with the 49ers. 

Playing without Kittle has never been an easy thing for San Francisco, although the 49ers have done better at it this season than in the past, and have had to do it plenty already in the first 16 weeks.