The Chicago Bears have released the very first injury report of the 2026 regular season, and it is looking good for them.
Chicago will take on the Carolina Panthers in a battle between two 2025 division champions. The Bears are going into the game with only one major injury concern: wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Before the Labor Day weekend break, Odunze suffered a lower-leg injury, raising new concerns about his playing status. Just one day after Bears head coach Ben Johnson called Odunze "day-to-day," the team released its first injury report of the year.
Breaking down Bears' first injury report of the 2026 season with Rome Odunze update
Odunze was one of three players on the list, as he was joined by quarterback Tyson Bagent and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo. Here is a look at the first injury report, with a quick note that the Bears did not practice on Wednesday, so these are only estimates:
Name, Position | Injury | Practice Status |
|---|---|---|
Tyson Bagent, QB | Back | DNP |
Rome Odunze, WR | Calf | Limited |
Ozzy Trapilo, OT | Knee | Limited |
On the Odunze injury update, this is looking good for the Bears. Johnson has already stated that if things go well, he expects Odunze to play, so this is a promising start. Still, expect more targets and action in the passing game to go to Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland.
Bagent's back injury has been bothering him since the week of the Tennessee Titans joint practice and preseason game. If he can't go, expect Case Keenum to be the backup. The hope is that the Bears won't be shorthanded at quarterback, but that possibility is becoming a reality.
Trapilo is still slowly working his way back from his knee injury, and the Bears won't rush him back. It would be a surprise if he takes the field on game day at left tackle before the end of the month. Braxton Jones was already named the starter for the Bears and could hold that job for a bit.
Compared to the laundry list of names the Bears gave out weekly on their injury reports last year, this is actually looking pretty good. It appears as though Bagent and Trapilo are most likely not going to play, with Odunze poised to take the field.
Read more: Luther Burden's tricky matchup in Bears-Panthers game could ignite 2026 buzz
The team has two more practices before it officially plays the Panthers so that a lot can change before then. Until then, there's reason to believe that Odunze is on his way to being active in Week 1.
Add us as a preferred source on Google