As expected, despite it seeming possible he could play after missing multiple games with a stress fracture in his foot, the Chicago Bears held wide receiver Rome Odunze out of the regular season finale against the Detroit Lions.
About a week before that, as coyly as he tried to play the line of questioning, head coach Ben Johnson offered a hint about whether Odunze would be able to play again this season. In some way, it was also a soft tease of when that could happen as the team's priorities started to shift.
"He’s going to be able to help us this year", Johnson said.
Odunze being able to best help the Bears eventually tilted dramatically toward ensuring he'd be 100 percent healthy, or as close to it as possible, for the playoffs. The setback he had during pregame warmups before the Week 15 game against the Cleveland Browns, after there had been optimism he'd miss just one game with that lingering foot issue, informed an increased level of caution afterward. So Odunze has missed the last five games.
Caleb Williams essentially confirms Rome Odunze will play vs. Packers
As the Bears prepare to take on the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round, they would presumably like to avoid any big reveals about the potential return of injured players. At least until the final injury report comes out, or any related transactions have to happen.
During his press conference, quarterback Caleb Williams was asked what getting Odunze back would do for the Bears' offense. So much for maintaining as much mystery, misdirection, or nuance about the receiver's status as possible in the coming days.
"It's going to be great. Excited to have him back," Williams said.
Williams said he texted Odunze after the aforementioned pregame setback and said, along the lines of where the general thinking has been across the board, "I gotchu, we’re going to get to the playoffs, but I need you back healthy and ready to go."
After a great start to the season, with five touchdowns over the first four games, Odunze had a general downturn in production that coincided with his appearance on the injury report with his foot injury.
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Assuming he is indeed healthy enough to suit up against the Packers in the Wild Card Round and any further potential playoff games, Odunze is in line to re-emerge as a big x-factor for the Bears during the most important time of the season.