All week, the Chicago Bears’ playoff outlook felt shakier than their No. 2 seed suggested. DJ Moore landed on the injury report with a knee issue. Rome Odunze (sidelined for more than a month with a stress fracture) was still a question mark.
For a team preparing for its third and most important meeting with the Green Bay Packers, the thought of entering Wild Card Weekend short-handed at wide receiver was concerning.
However, Chicago’s final practice report showed Moore and Odunze both progressing to full participation, with neither carrying an injury designation into Saturday night. Now the Bears are walking into Saturday night with something few playoff teams enjoy: clarity and health at the exact moment it matters most.
A dream that’s now a reality
GettyBears WR DJ Moore
Earlier in the week, this outcome felt far from guaranteed… DJ Moore popped up on the injury report with a knee issue, while Rome Odunze continued his long road back from a stress fracture in his foot that had sidelined him since late November. Both were limited participants early, raising legitimate questions about how complete Chicago’s offense could be in the most important game of its season.
Even with a quieter statistical season in Ben Johnson’s system (50 receptions for 682 yards), Moore remains one of the Bears’ most trusted wideouts in critical moments. That was on full display the last time Chicago faced Green Bay, when Moore hauled in a 46 yard, game winning touchdown in overtime after the Bears erased a double digit fourth quarter deficit.
Odunze’s return may be just as impactful, if not more intriguing. The second year receiver hasn’t played since week 13, when the Chicago Bears were still holding the NFC’s top seed. A re-aggravation of his foot injury delayed his return, but Odunze practiced fully by the end of the week and will be active for the Wild Card matchup.
Chicago’s offense is locked and loaded
GettyBears WR Jahdae Walker
With Rome Odunze back, defenses can no longer tilt coverage exclusively toward DJ Moore or sit on underneath routes. That ripple effect could open space for Luther Burden III, Jahdae Walker (who was also cleared after battling an illness), tight end Colston Loveland, and even the Bears’ run game as well.
Most importantly, it gives quarterback Caleb Williams the version of the offense he’s been preparing for, not some patched together substitute. Williams will take the field Saturday night with Moore, Odunze, Burden, Walker, and Loveland all available, something Chicago hasn’t been able to say since midseason.
To make matters even better, cornerback Kyler Gordon, recently activated from injured reserve, is questionable but expected to play, and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo is cleared after a quad injury.
The uncertainty that hovered over Chicago all week is gone. The Bears will face Green Bay with their full complement of weapons, and no excuses.
In a rivalry that’s defined seasons and ended dreams, health won’t decide this one… Execution will. And Saturday night will tell us if this Chicago Bears team is ready for that moment.
Bears WR Room Gets Major Boost Ahead of Playoff Game vs. Packers