Latest injury news pulls the rug out on QB Caleb Williams and Bears fans right before kickoff against the Browns
Rome Odunze will not play in Week 15.
Things seemed to be looking up for the Chicago Bears going into kickoff against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday when wide receiver Rome Odunze was not listed on the team’s inactives list.
Odunze, the team’s most productive wide receiver, was listed as questionable entering the weekend with a foot injury that forced him to miss last week’s game. It was reported last week that Odunze was dealing with a stress fracture that could last multiple weeks but after returning to practice this week, the Bears wanted to see if Odunze could go against the Browns.
Odunze was able to work out early on Sunday and told Stacey Dales that he would be able to play. However, minutes before kickoff, the Bears announced that Odunze reaggravated his foot injury and will not be playing, a massive blow for quarterback Caleb Williams and the team’s offense.
Another big opportunity for DJ Moore and Luther Burden III
With Odunze out of the lineup, the Bears are now thin at the wide receiver position considering undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker was listed as an inactive and no wide receivers were elevated from the practice squad going into Sunday.
That means the Bears will have four active wide receivers in DJ Moore, Luther Burden III, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Devin Duvernay. The Bears were hoping to get Moore more involved in the game plan after having just -4 yards a week ago, a game in which Burden led the team in receiving yards.
Given the lack of bodies at the position paired with the frigid weather, expect to see the Bears lean into the ground game on offense and utilize a heavy dose of tight ends Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, and Durham Smythe.
Unfortunate reality with Rome Odunze
As for Odunze, looking past Sunday, it’s clear the Bears need to be more cautious with this injury, no question about it. Odunze has been dealing with this injury all season long and clearly needs extended time to fully heal to avoid more serious setbacks. It’s the second week in a row a Bears player suffered an injury setback in pregame warmups that easily could have been avoided.
After Week 15, the Bears will face the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field next Saturday. I would consider sitting Odunze in that game as well and plan to get him back in action the following week against the San Francisco 49ers on the road.
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