Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze remains out with an apparent foot injury and won’t practice Tuesday as the Bears prepare for their season opener Sunday against the Panthers. Coach Ben Johnson said he was “hopeful he’ll be ready to go” for the game.
Odunze has been a concern since suffering a stress fracture in his foot last season and missing five games, but Johnson said this issue isn’t related to that.
The Bears will practice Tuesday afternoon, then give players Wednesday off. Since Wednesday is the first day the team is required to release an injury report, the team will estimate players’ availability.
Odunze likely would’ve been the Bears’ leading receiver last season if he hadn’t gotten hurt. Johnson referred to him at one point as quarterback Caleb Williams’ “blankie” because Williams is so reliant on Odunze when under pressure.
Through the first 12 games last season, Odunze led the Bears with 44 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns. He returned for the playoffs, but managed just four catches for 88 yards in two games.
He said in training camp his foot wasn’t affecting him, and the coaching staff seemed to agree that he looked as fast and agile as he did before the injury. He hadn’t missed any practice time until exiting the final preseason practice Thursday.