Bears might get surprise appearance from key offensive player vs. 49ers

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It may not be Willis Reed appearing in the tunnel at Madison Square Garden or Michael Jordan's famous "flu" game, but the Chicago Bears might be getting a surprising performance from a key player.
MORE: NFL panel of experts make surprising prediction for Bears-49ers showdown
By virtue of Saturday's surprising loss by the Green Bay Packers to the Lamar Jackson-less Baltimore Ravens, the Bears have clinched a playoff spot, the NFC North title and a home game in the postseason. Up for grabs Sunday night, however, is still a lot to play for.
#Bears RT Darnell Wright is en route to Santa Clara.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) December 28, 2025
He did not travel with the team Saturday because of an illness.
Wright is questionable and his availability will be a game-time decision. He's had a Pro Bowl-caliber season and this is potentially good news.
The Bears could still win out and get to 13-4, which still could earn the NFC's No. 1 seed if the 13-3 Seattle Seahawks lose to the Niners in Week 18. With still something to play for, right tackle Darnell Wright is apparently off his sick bed and en route to Santa Clara for the gam at Levi's Stadium.
MORE: Two huge names hit Bears' injury report hours before game vs 49ers
Wright, who has started 14 games this season, did not travel with the team Saturday and will listed "questionable" with an illness. He will likely be a game-time decision to protect quarterback Caleb Williams as the Bears get greedy in this improbable season.

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Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.
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