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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers‘ defense will have their hands full when they faces the Chicago Bears‘ Caleb Williams. Moreover, the USC product is coming off leading the Bears in a comeback win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, so he’ll be arriving in the Bay Area full of confidence.
It’s been an impressive 2025 NFL season for the Bears, who have the inside track to winning the NFC North in Year 1 under Ben Johnson. Furthermore, Williams has taken a significant step in his development as a quarterback.
Williams has a passer rating of 89.5 with 3,400 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 15 games this season for the Bears, per StatMuse. On December 24, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke highly of Williams, as his defense will be looking to make life challenging.
“Caleb is one of the best throwers, one of the best athletic quarterbacks I’ve ever seen in terms of his height, weight, and speed,” Shanahan told reporters (h/t 95.7 The Game). “He makes some big-time throws, extremely scary on the perimeter. Can hold onto the ball for a while, not in a bad way, but by creating stuff, which makes coverages have to hold out forever.
“When you have a talented guy like that who’s got the speed and the size, run game, get some bootlegs and play actions off of it. You limit how many times you [get] to drop back. It makes sense why he’s playing such a high level.”
49ers Announce Latest Injury News
The Niners head into this game against the Bears with concerns about whether George Kittle will play. Kittle suffered an ankle injury in the win over the Indianapolis Colts. Still, the 49ers shared an update on Kittle and other injured players, which is somewhat positive, as another pass-catcher is returning to practice.
Kittle didn’t practice on December 24, but Shanahan said, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN, that he “has a chance” to play in Week 17. Kittle recorded seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown against the Colts, so it will be a significant loss if he can’t go.
Among the remaining injury updates, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos continues to sit out with a hamstring issue and was the lone 49er who did not take part in practice. Running back Christian McCaffrey and left tackle Trent Williams were both given the day off on December 24.
On a more positive note, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who has been dealing with knee and ankle concerns, and cornerback Renardo Green, working back from a neck injury, were expected to return in a limited capacity after missing the game against the Colts.
George Kittle Talks Injury Before Bears Game
Even after sitting out much of the second half against the Colts on December 22, Kittle brushed off any major concern about the injury. The approach remains cautious, but the tone suggested optimism rather than worry.
“Pretty excited,” Kittle said about the result before giving an update on his injury (h/t KNBR). “We won Monday Night Football on the road. It’s already after 12. Can’t wait to get on a plane and go home. My concern level—I don’t think it’s a high ankle sprain. We’ll take it one day at a time and go from there.”
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports journalist covering the NFL for Heavy.com. He previously covered the league for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has contributed as a freelance writer for The Sporting News. He also served as an editor for Athlon Sports and Heavy Sports focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
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