With Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears still trying to take down the San Francisco 49ers on the road in Week 17, there is some bated breath as the visiting team awaits further updates on linebacker Noah Sewell.
A first-year starter at the SAM spot, Sewell suffered an injury during the third quarter of what was a 28-all contest.
The initial outlook was not encouraging.
Bears Lose LB Noah Sewell to Non-Contact Injury vs 49ers
Bears Get Bad News on Noah Sewell
In an unfortunate twist of fate, it appears that Sewell will indeed miss a substantial amount of time as the Bears prepare for the postseason.
“#Bears LB Noah Sewell, who has been a key part of the defense especially with all the injuries to the position, is believed to have torn his Achilles, sources say,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on December 29. “He’ll have an MRI to confirm. Right before he was to play his brother, #Lions OT Penei Sewell, Noah is out.”
The Bears have depth at linebacker, with D’Marco Jackson showing well during his stints in the starting lineup this season.
They have also gone with defensive-back-heavy looks amid injuries at LB.
Still, Sewell’s physicality will be missed, particularly in the run game, where the Bears have had issues throughout the season. They consistently had difficulties with 49ers star Christian McCaffrey with Sewell in the game, a trend that continued after.
The Bears have gotten used to relying on the next man up mentality, but the timing is unfortunate with the playoffs rapidly approaching.
Bears Made Quick Decision on Noah Sewell
Sewell suffered the injury at 9:24 p.m. local time, and the Bears ruled the third-year pro out by 9:27, after bringing the cart onto the field and taking him directly to the locker room.
The Bears officially deemed it an “ankle injury.”
“That is a disappointing sight. Noah Sewell, going off the field, non-contact. Went to grab theback of his foot, just above the back of the foot, in the Achilles area,” NBC’s Mike Tirico said during the broadcast. “One of four brothers, [including] Penei Sewell, the terrific All-Pro lineman for the Detroit Lions. We send Noah our absolute best. Tough injury to watch.”
Sewell, 23, was the No. 148 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. He logged all 22 of his appearances off the bench over his first two seasons, partly due to injuries. Sewell has started eight games for an opportunistic Bears defense.
Luther Burden III Appears to Avoid Serious Injury
The Bears had another injury scare after Sewell exited, with Luther Burden III going down on the final play of the game. He remained in the end zone for a while before being carted to the locker room. However, Burden conducted a postgame interview, which is generally a good sign.
There is optimism that he emerged with a bruised quad, but nothing that will cost him more time.
“Bears WR Luther Burden, who was carted off the field after Sunday night’s game, suffered a quad injury that is not thought to be serious,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X on December 29. “He will undergo additional testing today.”
Burden was a star on the night for the Bears, who were without Olamide Zaccheaus and Rome Odunze due to illness that also threatened to sideline DJ Moore. The Bears close out the 2025 regular season at home against the Lions. They could get some of their injured players back for the postseason.
