The Chicago Bears are set to face the Carolina Panthers and have some big questions about facing their star wide receiver, Rome Odunze.
Entering the game, Odunze has been dealing with a calf injury that he suffered before the Labor Day weekend. He practiced in limited reps all week to prepare for the game.
When the Bears made their final roster moves before the Panthers showdown, wide receiver Kaden Davis was called up to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. That led many to believe that Odunze wouldn't play in the game. The real question is whether that will be the case
Rome Odunze's playing status in the Bears-Panthers game is revealed
NFL insider Ian Rapoport was told by a source that Odunze is expected to play against the Panthers in the game. Odunze was listed as questionable before the game.
Last season, Odunze played in 12 games, missing five of them due to his foot injury. He caught 44 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns.
It was a bit of a disappointing season for Odunze since he was on pace to hit over 1,000 yards at the beginning of the year. His foot injury derailed the whole season.
He entered training camp 100% healthy and ready to go until the calf injury. Now he will play in the Panthers game again, but not at full strength.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will be leaning on Odunze a lot in the passing game this season since they lost DJ Moore in a trade. Chicago will also have Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, Zavion Thomas, and Jahdae Walker in the passing game. Davis will be more of a special teams player in the game.
With Odunze not 100% healthy, tight end Colston Loveland could be getting more looks in the passing game against the Panthers as well. Loveland was the most targeted player on the Bears over the last four games of the regular season and postseason, being the only pass catcher on the team with 10 or more targets in that span.
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It will be interesting to see how much Odunze is featured in the game plan, whether the Bears give him the ball early and often or if they ease him into the contest against the Panthers. Chicago might be conservative with Odunze since he's not 100%, but at least he'll be on the field, which is good news.
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