Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze’s status for Sunday’s season opener remains uncertain after head coach Ben Johnson provided an update on the second-year receiver’s injury.
Johnson said Tuesday that Odunze is considered day-to-day and will not practice as the Bears prepare to face the Carolina Panthers. The receiver suffered the injury during Chicago’s final preseason practice, creating some concern about his availability for Week 1.
The Bears, however, have not ruled him out. Johnson also clarified that Odunze’s current right leg injury is unrelated to the right foot stress fracture that caused him to miss the final five games of the 2025 regular season.
That distinction is significant for Chicago, particularly with the team entering the season without DJ Moore after trading the veteran receiver to the Buffalo Bills in March. Odunze is now expected to play a much larger role in Caleb Williams’ passing game.
Odunze produced 44 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games last season. He was particularly effective early, scoring five touchdowns across his first four games before his foot injury eventually ended his regular season.
The former No. 9 overall pick has 98 receptions for 1,395 yards and nine touchdowns through his first two NFL seasons. His 15.0 yards per reception in 2025 also showed the big-play ability Chicago will need from him.
If Odunze cannot play against Carolina, the Bears will have to lean more heavily on Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond and tight end Colston Loveland. Burden had 47 catches for 652 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, giving Chicago another proven option in the passing game.
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The timing makes Odunze’s status worth monitoring throughout the week. The Bears are coming off an 11-6 season in which they won the NFC North and earned their first playoff victory since 2010.
With expectations rising around Williams and Johnson entering their second season together, getting Odunze back on the field would provide an important boost to an offense attempting to take another step forward.
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