SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The illness that swept through the Bears locker room this week took a toll on the team’s roster, resulting in receiver Olamide Zaccheaus being added to the injury report and ultimately listed as inactive just hours before the game against the 49ers.
Despite the health concerns, tackle Darnell Wright and receiver DJ Moore took the field after being included in the injury reports on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Notably, Wright did not travel with the team to the Bay Area on Saturday but made the trip the following day to participate in the game.
Throughout the week, cornerbacks Nick McCloud and Josh Blackwell, receiver Devin Duvernay, and linebacker D’Marco Jackson were also affected by the same illness. McCloud was ruled out on Friday, while Blackwell, Duvernay, and Jackson managed to play on Sunday.
In a bid to mitigate the spread of the illness, the Bears traveled on their team charter wearing masks. Coach Ben Johnson highlighted the team’s precautions, stating that they were “washing our hands … being very diligent” while ensuring that players had masks on. He emphasized the team’s focus on utilizing whichever players were available come game day, reiterating their commitment to winning despite the challenges they faced.
This situation underscores the impact of health and safety protocols in sports, especially as teams navigate through a season where illnesses can significantly affect performance and player availability. The Bears’ dedication to maintaining a safe environment and adapting to circumstances reflects their resilience and determination to compete.