Matt Eberflus spoiled the first Chicago Bears' injury report for their Week 2 game against the Houston Texans when he told reporters earlier today that neither rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze nor veteran Keenan Allen were going to practice on Wednesday.
Odunze suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain against the Tennessee Titans and while national outsiders have referred to the injury as week-to-week, Eberflus gave the designation of day-to-day. Despite Eberflus' optimistic designation, it remains unlikely that Odunze will be dressed against the Texans on Sunday.
Allen, who is indeed on the Week 2 injury report as well, looked uncomfortable during his Bears' debut on Sunday. Allen was targeted 11 times but only came up with 4 receptions. Most notably, Allen dropped what would have been an easy touchdown while running a flat route toward the side of the end zone. It was after that play where there was a noticeable limp from Allen.
First Chicago Bears injury report for Week 2
#Bears Wednesday Injury Report pic.twitter.com/b5NsIDWbmM
— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) September 11, 2024
Ryan Bates remains limited with a shoulder injury, part of the reason the Bears alternated between right guards during Sunday's win. The old adage in football is that if you have two quarterbacks, you don't really have one quarterback. For the Bears, that applies to their right guard position.
The goal for the offensive line should be continuity. The idea that the Bears have a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams playing with a revolving door at the right guard position does not translate to success. If Bates isn't healthy, the Bears shouldn't force the issue and remain with Nate Davis.
Along the defensive line, the Bears are still dealing with injuries to Zacch Pickens and DeMarcus Walker. Walker was able to play on Sunday, but Pickens was inactive. For all the success that the Bears' defense had during the second half of the game on Sunday, they got pushed around during the first half. Walker being healthy and a potential answer on the interior could provide a solution to that problem.