In the aftermath of the Chicago Bears' loss to the Houston Texans in Week 2, one of the leading debates was whether the team made the right decision by selecting Rome Odunze as the 9th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
After the selection of Caleb Williams and the additions of D'Andre Swift and Keenan Allen prior to the draft, there was a case that the Bears should have targeted an offensive tackle with the second of their two first-round draft picks.
Two games into the 2024 season and it's become clear why Odunze was the selection. Allen has been dealing with a heel injury since the final week of the preseason. Allen was able to play in the Bears' season-opener against the Tennessee Titans but hasn't practiced since.
Is Keenan Allen playing today?
Allen was a game-time decision last Sunday when the Bears faced the Houston Texans but the team took a different approach this season. Matt Eberflus told reporters on Friday that Allen will be inactive for the team's game today against the Indianapolis Colts.
It's believed to be the same heel issue that forced Allen to miss four games last season with the Los Angeles Chargers. What's become clear is that Bears' offensive coordinator Shane Waldron fully anticipated the team using three wide-receiver sets this season as the offense's primary look. Even with Allen absent last week, the Bears still utilized the three wide-receiver look with DeAndre Carter being the man in the slot. It will be interesting if Waldron moves off that strategy against the Colts, who have struggled against the run to open the season.
Odunze, who has been playing through a Grade 1 MCL Sprain, is now in a position where there are increased expectations for his rookie season. As along as Allen remains sidelined due to his heel injury, Odunze will be the secondary wide receiver on the opposite side of DJ Moore.