Good news for the Chicago Bears is that wide receiver Rome Odunze will be playing in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers. The bad news is that safety Xavier Woods isn't as lucky.
Chicago released the inactives for their Week 1 game against the Panthers. Here is the full list of players who won't be playing in the contest.
- Miller Moss, QB
- Tyson Bagent, QB
- Xavier Woods, S
- Jamree Kromah, DL
- Jordan McFadden, OL
- Ozzy Trapilo, OL
- Jayden Loving
Xavier Woods is out for the Bears game against the Panthers in Week 1
Odunze being able to play is great news for the offense. That will completely change what happens with the offense, as he is going to be involved early and often.
Bagent is going to be the emergency QB3 for the Bears after dealing with his back injury throughout the week. It's a tough loss, but Case Keenum is the new backup for Week 1, so there's still a veteran who can step in if the worst case Caleb Williams scenario happens.
Trapilo was expected to be inactive since Braxton Jones was named the starting left tackle until Trapilo gets healthy. Chicago won't expect Trapilo to be on the field still for a bit, but hopefully he will be back within the next month.
Woods has been dealing with a groin injury, which means yet again, another defensive back is hurt and out for the Bears. This is the one move that will make the biggest impact on the Bears entering the game.
The Bears now have to figure out the lineup in the secondary, which could go in some different directions. They could move Cam Lewis from nickel to safety and start rookie Malik Muhammad in the slot. There is the other option to keep Lewis where he is, and the Bears start undrafted rookie Skyler Thomas.
Either way, there could be a rookie in the starting lineup in Week 1 in the secondary who isn't named Dillon Thieneman. It would truly show a very young and inexperienced Bears secondary facing off against a solid Panthers passing offense.
Read more: Bears vs. Panthers Week 1: How to watch, injury news, top storylines, prediction
This is quite the dilemma for the Bears, as they have to roll out a completely different secondary from last year, How they will look in Week 1 is another story that will be answered soon.
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