Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze had a terrific start to this season, with five touchdowns over the first four games. But a downturn in production coincided with his appearance on the injury report with a foot/heel injury, and after playing with a stress fracture in his foot for several weeks he has misssed the last four games.
It briefly seemed possible Odunze would only miss one game with his injury, but a setback in pregame warmups before Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns led to him not suiting up.
Since then, all we've gotten regarding when Odunze may be able to play came before Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Ben Johnson was asked what Odunze has been doing, and doing in terms of rehab. His answer was equal parts vague and promising, as he offered an "I know how to play this game" grin during his response.
"We’ve been working through his rehab process", Johnson said, through that sly grin. He’s right on track, he’s going to be in a good spot. He’s going to be able to help us this year."
As expected, Johnson said next to nothing through what was essentially three attempts by the reporter to get him to elaborate about Odunze's status.
The Bears' plan for Rome Odunze in Week 18 is crystal clear
Filling in on 670 The Score's "Mully and Haugh" on Wednesday morning, Ruthie Polinsky of CHSN gave her thoughts about Odunze in light of a question about if he should play in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions.
"I'm so puzzled by this Rome Odunze injury, because....looks great, he's celebrating with the guys, he's running to the end of the field to celebrate with DJ Moore....He looks like he's healthy. So, I think, maybe they've been playing it safe anyway."
"The worst thing that could happen is that he goes out there this Sunday and has another setback in pregame warmups or whatever the case may be."
Polinsky then noted that Luther Burden's status, who was injured during the final play of the Week 17 loss to the 49ers, could play into the plan for Odunze. But the bottom line is clear, and Polinsky reinforced it.
"If Rome Odunze is not 100 percent, give him another week", Polinsky said.
Fellow fill-in co-host Judson Richards asked Polinsky if her opinion on Odunze would change if Burden can't go on Sunday, and she nailed it again.
"It shouldn't be related, right?" Polinsky said. "I don't think you push either of them to be out there on Sunday.....You have enough pass catchers, in my opinion, to be able to get by."
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Ideally, the Bears will be able to do more than "get by" in a game that would give them the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and a more favorable matchup in the Wild Card Round. But if Odunze is indeed going to be helpful over what remains of the season, doing whatever is necessary to ensure he's available for the playoffs remains the only priority. Week 18 is meaningless on that front, with the risk far exceeding any potential reward if he's not unequivocally healthy.