While veteran Bears receiver Keenan Allen continues to miss practice due to a lingering heel injury, rookie wideout Rome Odunze returned to the field for his first practice of the week. Odunze, who has been dealing with a knee injury, was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. The injury originally occurred during the Bears’ Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans, but Odunze managed to play through it in Week 2 against the Houston Texans.
During that game, he played 94 percent of the offensive snaps, catching two passes on five targets for a total of 33 yards.
Despite his perseverance, Odunze’s early season has been marked by frustration, both on the field and off. His father recently took to social media to vent about his son’s struggles, publicly expressing his dissatisfaction with the coverage and critique Rome has faced in his first few NFL games. In a cryptic message posted online, Odunze’s father specifically called out ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, writing:
“A quick (2 GAMES out of 17) reference-guide for those with the initials D.O. and work for the Entertainment & Sports Programming Network. W/respect.”
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The social media post hints at a growing frustration within the Odunze family over the public’s expectations for the young receiver.
While Odunze has shown potential, his father’s comments suggest that the early criticism may have been premature or overly harsh.
Despite the noise surrounding him, Odunze’s limited practice participation on Wednesday is a positive sign for his potential availability in Sunday’s road game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts’ defense has been vulnerable, and Odunze could see a larger role in the Bears’ offense if Allen remains sidelined. If Odunze is able to suit up, he’s expected to be quarterback Caleb Williams’ second option in the passing game.
However, given that Williams is still adjusting to the NFL, Odunze’s fantasy football value may be limited until the rookie quarterback shows more consistency in the pocket.
On the other hand, Keenan Allen’s absence from practice raises questions about his availability for Sunday’s game. Allen’s heel injury has kept him sidelined for the start of the week, and the team has yet to provide a clear timetable for his return.
Should Allen miss the game, Odunze may be thrust into a more prominent role within the offense, though his productivity will largely depend on Williams’ ability to handle the pressure and deliver accurate passes.
As Odunze looks to break through early struggles, Sunday’s matchup against the Colts presents an opportunity for the rookie to showcase his skills against a porous defense. With his status improving, Bears fans will be eager to see if Odunze can capitalize on the chance to make a bigger impact.
However, both the Bears’ passing attack and Odunze’s fantasy football outlook will remain uncertain until the team solidifies its game plan and Williams gains more experience under center.
