With the NFC North title within their reach, the Chicago Bears could use all the good news they can handle heading into Week 17. The Bears need just one win in their final two games against the San Francisco 49ers or Detroit Lions or a loss by the Green Bay Packers in their final two games to claim their first division crown since 2018, and once that is sewn up, their attention will turn to the playoffs.
The Bears have been largely healthy throughout this season, but have navigated a few injuries in recent weeks. One of those has been a stress fracture to second-year wideout Rome Odunze's foot that has kept him out of the lineup since Nov. 28.
While it sounds like something that could take some time to heal, Bears head coach Ben Johnson told reporters, including ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, that Odunze is “going to be able to help us this year,” giving the Bears much-needed good news ahead of their first chance to clinch the division title on Sunday.
“He’s on the right track. He’s in a good spot.” Johnson said.
Rome Odunze’s Injury Update Means Big Things for Bears’ Playoff Run
While Johnson didn’t put a definitive timetable on a return, getting Odunze back would be a massive boost for the Bears’ offense. The Washington product ranks first on the team with 55.1 receiving yards per game and second to D.J. Moore (664) with 661 receiving yards despite missing the past three games. While Odunze is important, the Bears haven’t gotten him back into the lineup, even making him a surprise inactive before kickoff in a Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns.
When Odunze wasn’t able to return for the Green Bay Packers, it created questions about his long-term status. But Johnson’s comments suggest that a return in the playoffs may be the most likely outcome.
The Bears have a tough task going up against a 49ers team that’s 11-4 and hung 440 yards of total offense in a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night. While next week’s game has some seeding ramifications if San Francisco can pass the Seattle Seahawks for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, it is not imperative for Chicago, as it has already clinched a playoff spot.
Week 18 also offers an interesting fallback for the Bears. Although they were blasted 52-21 in a Week 2 meeting in Detroit, the Lions have since fallen hard and could be eliminated in Week 17 if they lose to the Minnesota Vikings or the Packers defeat the Baltimore Ravens. Should that happen, the Bears would face a banged-up and potentially unmotivated team at Soldier Field with a chance to clinch the division, giving them a chance to give Odunze another week to recover or hold him out until the playoffs altogether.
Whenever Odunze returns, it will be a big lift for the Chicago offense. But even though he may not play in Sunday night’s matchup, it’s worth celebrating as the Bears have their eyes on the postseason.