Fantasy playoffs are here and Dart, Tuten, and Jefferson are must-starts
Fantasy playoffs are here, and Joe Rivera and Jacob Camenker give your their list of must-start players ahead of Week 15.
The Chicago Bears fell to 9-4 following their 28-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 14.
They held the No. 1 seed in the NFC before the loss but fell all the way to the No. 7 seed.
Bears wideout Rome Odunze was forced to miss the game after suffering a foot injury.
The second-year receiver was quickly becoming the No. 1 target for Chicago, and the playmaker Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson could rely on, on the perimeter. Odunze had accumulated a team-high 661 receiving yards before his injury. His absence is a significant blow to the offense.
Like many teams around the NFL, Chicago is dealing with many injuries across its roster.
With Chicago appearing poised to be a contender in the NFC, they’ll need Odunze to return to full health soon for the playoff push over the final four weeks and his status remains one of the more important ones to monitor.
Here’s the latest on the Bears’ second-year wide receiver:
When will Rome Odunze return?
Odunze was ruled out for Week 14 with a foot injury but his status for Week 15 remains up in the air.
The second-year receiver was listed as limited in the Bears’ walkthrough practice on Wednesday, Dec. 10. The Bears host the Cleveland Browns in Week 15.
It’s encouraging news after Odunze failed to practice in any capacity before Week 14.
The Bears did not place Odunze on injured reserve (IR), which would have required at least four games missed. This suggests that if the injury had been long-term, the team would likely have placed him on IR. Instead, it would make sense for Odunze to return soon.
Odunze is the Bears’ leading receiver in 2025 with 661 yards on 44 catches. He has six touchdowns.
He suffered a stress fracture in his foot that left him week-to-week, per the NFL Network. However, Odunze’s limited practice participation to start Week 15 indicates he has a chance to return Sunday against Cleveland. His practice status on Thursday and Friday will be key to his potential return to action after missing just one game.
Bears WR depth chart
Here’s a look at who the Bears will have at WR if Odunze remains sidelined:
Rome Odunze (injured)DJ MooreLuther BurdenOlamide ZaccheausDevin DuvernayJahdae Walker
With Odunze sidelined in Week 14, it was expected that veteran DJ Moore would see increased volume, but he managed just one catch on three targets for -4 yards. Rookie second-rounder Luther Burden made the most of his expanded role, leading the team in catches and yards in Week 14. The veteran Zaccheaus provides solid play from the slot receiver position but isn’t much of a red zone threat.
Tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland have also been tasked with more receiving work.
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