Bears’ Matt Eberflus: Rome Odunze Could Still Play Week 2 vs. Texans amid Knee Injury

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 10, 2024

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Rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze may not even miss one game for the Chicago Bears after suffering an MCL sprain during the season-opening win over the Tennessee Titans.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus revealed it is possible Odunze will play in Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans during a Tuesday appearance on The Rich Eisen Show.

“He has an MCL sprain, and it’s a day-to-day deal,” he said. “So we’ll see where he is tomorrow, on Wednesday, and what’s going on there. We’ll reassess it as we go. It’s day-to-day, I know he’s a super tough guy.”

ESPN’s Courtney Cronin noted Odunze likely suffered the injury while blocking on a screen pass. Titans linebacker Harold Landry III fell into the back of the receiver’s knee when tackling Velus Jones Jr. in the fourth quarter.

Fellow wide receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen also suffered injuries in the win, although Cronin pointed out Eberflus was not concerned with their statuses for the game against the Texans.

The firepower at wide receiver is one reason expectations were so high for the Bears entering the season. Moore and Allen are proven playmakers at the NFL level, and Odunze was the No. 9 overall pick after he posted 1,640 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in his final collegiate season at Washington.

It was quite the situation for No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams to walk into as a rookie, although he struggled in his first game and completed 14 of his 29 passes for 93 yards. Chicago still won thanks to a defensive touchdown and a special teams touchdown, but that is not a formula that will likely lead to many victories this season.

Sunday’s road game against C.J. Stroud and the Texans figured to be more difficult than the one against Will Levis’ Titans even if Odunze was 100 percent.

If he is sidelined, Chicago could turn toward DeAndre Carter or Tyler Scott as the No. 3 wide receiver. It also has Collin Johnson and Samori Toure on the practice squad if necessary.

Even if Odunze doesn’t play, it seems like he avoided a significant injury if there is still a chance at this point of the week. That is welcome news for the Bears, who will need him to develop into a reliable No. 2 or 3 option as the season progresses and they chase a playoff spot.