NEWSLETTER
There is an update regarding the health status of Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero has the scoop on Odunze, who reportedly suffered an MCL during the Bears’ Week 1 win against the Tennessee Titans that has his playing status viewed as being “week-to-week” according to sources he has spoken with on the matter:
In case you missed it earlier, Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus told reporters that Rome Odunze was set to get an MRI on his knee after suffering an injury. This update came while answering questions about DJ Moore and Keenan Allen — Bears receivers who missed time during the game versus the Titans due to their own injury issues. Eberflus said he wasn’t concerned about the status of Moore and Allen, but said he didn’t have enough info on the Odunze injury to share any sentiment on that front.
Now that we have some clarity there, I wonder what Eberflus would say about Odunze’s status moving forward.
Rome Odunze’s injury is a big blow, but it could be worse
The audible groan I let out when I saw the news of Rome Odunze’s week-to-week status could be heard throughout my apartment complex. And with good reason, too. The Bears had big hopes for the rookie wide receiver, as did the majority of this fan base. We’ve long been waiting for this team to build around a rookie quarterback by surrounding him with high-octane weapons. Rome was supposed to be one of those. So while I still think he will be, this injury news is a setback.
Then again, it could be worse. On paper, a week-to-week designation is more encouraging news compared to what the Los Angeles Rams just announced with their own young stud receiver Puka Nacua.
In case you missed it, Nacua was put on injured reserve (h/t ESPN) after suffering a PCL sprain in the Rams’ loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football. This means Nacua will miss the Bears-Rams showdown in Week 4. It is still undetermined how long Odunze will be out, but if this is truly a week-to-week thing and he avoids an IR stint, then I’d consider it a net positive when you look at the big picture. In any case, I hope Rome Odunze has a speedy recovery and look forward to his return.
