The Bears might play in primetime without two of their three best receivers.
On Friday, veteran Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze were both ruled questionable for Sunday night’s game against the Texans. Allen hasn’t practiced all week as he tries to manage a heel injury that’s bothered him since training camp, while Odunze is recovering from a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee suffered in his NFL debut Sunday.
The Bears plan to decide both players’ availability on Sunday, coach Matt Eberflus said.
Allen, who missed the last four games of last season with a similar heel problem, was progressing through the injury but took a step back during the Bears’ win against the Titans. He played 38 snaps but spent time inside the injury tent.
The Bears want the 12-year veteran to be clear about his own comfort Sunday.
“I just rely on the medical staff to do what’s best for Keenan,” Eberflus said, “and then he decides with the medical staff when he can go, if he can go.”
Odunze, by contrast, suffered his first-ever knee injury when he was rolled up on from behind while blocking in the fourth quarter. He returned to practice Friday after being reassured by team doctors that his knee was stable. There’s no risk, he said, of the injury getting worse.
He’s still sore, though.
“I think it’s just like any injury in the fact that it’s a pain level, pain tolerance thing,” Odunze said. “I think when you’ve answered the question whether it’s structurally sound and whether or not you’re at risk of further injuring it, I think that’s the No. 1 question you need to answer.
“Then after that, it’s, ‘Can you be yourself out there? Can you play through the pain? What’s the soreness going to be like the next day? Are you going to be able to weather through that?’”
Odunze, who said he was ‘being a little precautionary” in practice, is curious to see how sore he’ll feel Saturday morning.
“Just trying to get back to being myself out there,” he said. “That’s the only product I want to put out on the field.”
The Bears figure to promote either Collin Johnson or Samori Toure from the practice squad Saturday.
Solo work for Nate Davis
The Bears ruled out Ryan Bates, who has dealt with a shoulder injury since before training camp and also has an elbow injury. He rotated with Nate Davis at right guard in Week 1; now Davis is scheduled to get a full workload.
“He had a really consistent practice this week and was really on it … in terms of run and pass, in terms of his responsibilities and technique,” Eberflus said. “I thought he really improved this week.”
This and that
• The Texans said they will keep the NRG Stadium roof open Sunday night despite the temperature expected to hover in the high 80s at kickoff. Perhaps related: the Texans will wear a white jersey and pants. The Bears will wear their alternate orange helmet and jersey; they’re 1-3 in that combination since introducing the helmet in 2022.
• Defensive end DeMarcus Walker (foot) practiced in full and is questionable. Fullback Khari Blasingame (hand/knee) is out.
• Texans safety M.J. Stewart (knee) was ruled out. Running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) and center/guard Juice Scruggs (groin) are limited.
• There were 54 players from Illinois on NFL Week 1 rosters, which ranked ninth out of the 45 states that claimed players. League data released Friday showed Texas in first place with 190, followed by Florida (176), California (168) and Georgia (146).