The Chicago Bears received encouraging (but complicated) news Friday when wide receiver Rome Odunze returned to practice for the first time in nearly three weeks.
Odunze, who has been sidelined since late November with ongoing foot issues, was a limited participant and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s regular season finale against the Detroit Lions.
“Obviously I want to play, but I’m following their plan, so we’ll see where that leads me on Sunday,” Odunze said. “It’s still up in the air right now. But I was able to go out there today, felt pretty good.”
With playoff seeding still on the line and head coach Ben Johnson planning to play his starters, Odunze’s status has quickly become one of the biggest storylines of Chicago’s week 18 preparation.
A nonlinear return
GettyChicago Bears WR Rome Odunze
Friday marked Rome Odunze’s first practice appearance since Dec. 12 and his first on-field work in three weeks. He last appeared in a game on Nov. 28 against the Eagles and has since been navigating what he described as “a couple different” chronic foot issues.
That process hasn’t been linear. Odunze was placed on the game day roster for the Dec. 14 matchup against the Browns, only to feel pain during warmups and be shut down before kickoff.
On the season, Rome has appeared in 12 games this season, catching 44 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns. In fact, he trails DJ Moore for the team lead in receiving by just 10 yards despite missing four games.
His ability to stretch coverage and make big plays on third downs has been crucial to Chicago’s success. That production is exactly why Odunze’s practice return presents a dilemma for the Bears.
The Rome Odunze dilemma
GettyChicago Bears WR Rome Odunze
On one hand, even a limited version of Rome Odunze provides schematic value, pulling coverage away from Moore and rookie Luther Burden III while giving Caleb Williams another trusted target. On the other, the risk of rushing him back after a single limited practice is real, particularly with foot injuries.
Odunze himself acknowledged that rest has been the most effective (and frustrating) part of his recovery.
“All different things that I can do for it, I think I’ve been exhausting those efforts,” he said. “Obviously not playing on Sundays is tough when I have the passion for the game that I do.”
In my opinion, the Bears shouldn’t rush this. With the playoffs looming, one extra week of caution could make the difference between having Odunze available at full strength in January or watching him battle the same lingering issue again.
The Bears have proven they can win without him in the short term… I mean they put up 38 points on the Niners without him. The real priority should be making sure he’s ready when the games actually define the season.
If Odunze plays Sunday, it should be in a tightly controlled, limited role. And if he doesn’t, that patience may end up being the smartest move Chicago makes all week.
Bears Announce Rome Odunze News Ahead of Season Finale