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The Chicago Bears entered Week 14 riding as high as they’ve been in years: a 9-3 start, a statement win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and a chance to bury the Green Bay Packers in prime time.Â
But on Friday, everything changed.
Initial reports revealed that Rome Odunze would miss this week’s game against the Packers, but we later learned he has been playing through a stress fracture in his foot, an injury far more serious and far more lingering than anyone inside the Bears organization publicly hinted at.
Suddenly, a rivalry showdown with division stakes on the line now comes with a glaring, painful void.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Rome Odunze has been playing through this stress fracture for some time, and it makes complete sense.Â
Cuz after erupting early in the year with five touchdowns in his first four games, the second-year receiver faded hard with just one touchdown since, and a brutal stretch over the last three weeks: 7 receptions on 21 targets for 102 yards.
At the time, it looked like a slump. Now, the truth reframes the entire conversation.
Pelissero reports he’s now week-to-week as the team shuts him down to let the foot heal. The belief inside the building is that it isn’t a long-term concern (he should return in December) but foot fractures are notoriously unpredictable.
And the Chicago Bears are staring at the most important stretch of their season without their WR1, red-zone weapon, and one of the NFL’s best young separators.
This Is the Worst Possible Opponent to Lose Him Against
GettyBears WR1 Rome Odunze
To make matters worse, this game against the Packers means everything.Â
Green Bay enters at 8-3-1. Chicago is 9-3. A win gives the Bears total control of the NFC North. A loss puts the Packers on top of the division in the season’s final month.
Without Rome Odunze, the Bears must now lean heavily on DJ Moore, rookie playmaker Luther Burden III, and veteran Olamide Zaccheaus as their top three receivers.Â
Tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet will also be asked to absorb a bigger share of the passing game, especially on third downs, where Odunze has quietly been one of Caleb Williams’ most trusted targets.
A Gut Punch But Not a Death Blow
GettyBears WR1 Rome Odunze
The Bears found their identity against the Eagles, rushing for over 200 yards while D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai each topped 100 in a throwback performance not seen in Chicago since Walter Payton. They’ll need another high-volume ground performance Sunday.Â
The Chicago Bears insist Rome Odunze will return soon. That the injury is real, but not season-ending.Â
Odunze is out. Green Bay is coming. And Chicago’s margin for error just evaporated.
If the Bears want to prove they’re no longer the little brother in the NFC North and show this season is more than a feel-good story, then Sunday night at Lambeau Field becomes the defining moment of their resurgence.
The worst news of the year arrived at the worst possible time. But how they respond will tell us everything.
Garrett Klaus Garrett Klaus is a NFL contributor at Heavy.com, where he covers the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Carolina Panthers. More about Garrett Klaus
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