After missing last week’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a foot injury, Chicago Bears fans were hoping to see wide receiver Rome Odunze back on the field for this weekend’s game vs. the Cleveland Browns.
Odunze was officially ruled questionable on Friday after logging three-straight limited practices this week, giving Bears fans some hope that he could be good to go. However, Chicago fans received some disappointing news just minutes before Sunday’s game about Odunze, who instead aggravated his foot injury in warmups and was forced to sit out again.
Though the Bears’ offense managed just fine without him on Sunday, Odunze's setback creates legitimate worries ahead of a crucial Week 16 vs. Green Bay.
Rome Odunze’s Week 16 Status Unclear After Sudden Week 15 Absence
It's one thing for a player to start ramping up throughout the week and the team ultimately determine he's not fit enough to go. It's an entirely different thing when the player is set to suit up and then is pulled just minutes before kickoff because they irritated their injury again.
This case puts a serious cloud over Odunze's Week 16 status already. Now he could be back at square one in terms of trying to get him on the path to even playing, rather than on the cusp of return if he simply sat out against the Browns. Chicago took a calculated risk in attempting to have Odunze get some reps in against a lowly opponent before the huge Packers rematch, yet that gamble clearly has backfired.
The Bears also have a rather quick turnaround for Week 16, as they will play on Saturday night against the Packers. This only works against Chicago's favor of having Odunze on the field, since he'll be afforded one less day to get right, which could be the difference if his latest injury turn is only minor.
If you have Odunze on the field, you can match him up on the outside, either against Keisean Nixon or Carrington Valentine. Or you can put Odunze in the slot against Javon Bullard or Nate Hobbs.
Otherwise, the Bears will have to lean on DJ Moore -- who enjoyed a huge bounce-back in Week 15, recording four receptions, 69 yards and two touchdowns -- and rookie Luther Burden against the Packers again.
However, Moore struggled mightily against Jeff Hafley's defense (one catch, -4 yards), and Burden picked up an ankle injury versus the Browns. That puts Chicago's passing attack in a potentially dire state for Week 16, especially if Odunze needs to sit out.