Former Washington Huskies wide receiver and first-round pick Rome Odunze will be a game-time decision for the Chicago Bears ahead of their Week Two matchup on Sunday Night Football with the Houston Texans.
The 2023 unanimous All-American suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his NFL debut against the Tennessee Titans when his teammate, fellow wide receiver Velus Jones Jr., rolled up on his leg while Odunze was run-blocking.
Odunze did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was upgraded to limited participation on Friday. When asked how his recovery was coming along, he said he felt confident and that his knee was moving better, adding that he is experiencing less pain in the area.
Coach Matt Eberflus elevated wide receiver Colin Johnson from the practice squad since both Odunze and Keenan Allen, who is dealing with a heel injury, are both listed as questionable.
The Bears are required to release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 8:20 PM EST kickoff. If Odunze is active and Allen is unable to suit up, the No. 9 overall pick could see a significant target share against a Texans defense that allowed 212 yards and two long touchdown passes to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson in the season opener.
“As I started to move my leg, bend my leg a little bit, you start to get that confidence. I’ll continue to build that so I can hopefully play Sunday.”
Rome Odunze on his sprained MCL. pic.twitter.com/7rTzyTHxeP
— Marquee Bears (@BearsMarquee) September 13, 2024