The Bears didn’t practice Wednesday, but their estimated participation was bleak. And in a rivalry game as important as this week against the Packers, timing is everything.
Two of Chicago’s most explosive offensive weapons, WR Rome Odunze and RB Kyle Monangai, were both listed as DNP.
Monangai’s ankle injury hits particularly hard. He just ripped apart the Eagles for 131 yards while forming a deadly tandem with D’Andre Swift.
The Chicago Bears finally have a run game that’s ranked No. 2 in the league and putting up 153.8 yards per game. Now it might disappear just as quickly as it arrived.
If Monangai can’t go, Chicago loses the physicality and balance that’s kept Caleb Williams from carrying too much on his shoulders.
Meanwhile, Rome Odunze’s foot injury changes how Green Bay will defend them.
Yes, Odunze’s numbers dipped recently. Yes, defenses have rolled coverage his way. But every defensive coordinator in the league still treats him as a downfield nightmare.
Without him, the Bears’ passing game shrinks. The Packers’ corners, who have been aggressive the last month, suddenly get to dictate leverage. Chicago’s spacing changes. Caleb Williams’ job gets harder.
You don’t walk into Lambeau without one of your top WRs and expect to walk out with first place in the division.
Defense Gets Reinforcements (But Not Enough)
GettyBears RB Kyle Monangai
There were small positives Tuesday: Linebackers T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell returned to work. Edwards especially has been a massive loss during his four-game absence; Chicago’s tackling, run fits, and communication have all suffered without him.
His potential return is the closest thing to good news this week.
But the secondary remains thin: Tyrique Stevenson was a DNP again. Ruben Hyppolite too. Against a Green Bay offense that has rediscovered its big-play rhythm, that’s not the type of weakness you want exposed.
Don’t Panic Yet, But the Clock Is Ticking
GettyBears QB Caleb Williams
It’s only Wednesday. Across the league, plenty of players sit midweek and play Sunday. And the Bears insist this is precaution, not crisis.
But if Odunze and Monangai don’t return to practice by Thursday or Friday, Chicago’s NFC perch may vanish by sunset Sunday.
Because Green Bay is too healthy, too confident, and too close in the standings for the Bears to walk into Lambeau short-handed and expect their win streak or their division lead to survive.
This rivalry has always demanded toughness, resilience, and a willingness to absorb body blows. Sunday will demand all of that and more.
The Packers know the history. The Chicago Bears know the stakes. And the rest of the NFL is about to find out whether this team is built to withstand the kind of adversity that has swallowed previous Chicago seasons whole.
One way or another, the answer comes Sunday night, under the cold lights at Lambeau, with a battered roster, a 9-3 team ready to prove themselves, and a fanbase holding its breath.
Please get healthy, Rome and Monangai, Chicago’s going to need every bit of you in Green Bay.
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