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According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, Chicago Bears wide receivers Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) have both been ruled out for Saturday night’s rematch against the Green Bay Packers, dealing a significant blow to an offense that already knows how unforgiving this rivalry can be.
With the NFC North tightening and Green Bay coming off a win over Chicago just over a week ago, the Bears now head into one of the most important games of their season without two of their top four receivers.
How Much This Hurts the Bears
GettyBears WR Rome Odunze
Losing Rome Odunze alone would have been brutal. Losing both Odunze and Burden fundamentally alters Chicago’s offensive ceiling.
Odunze has been the focal point of the passing game, leading the Bears in receiving yards (661), touchdown catches (6), and targets (90). His ability to win in the intermediate areas and convert in the red zone has been central to Chicago’s offensive efficiency.
The second year WR has already missed time with a lingering foot issue, and despite being cleared to play last Sunday, late pregame discomfort forced the Bears to shut him down. Head coach Ben Johnson didn’t rule out a longer-term pause earlier this week.
“All options are on the table,” Johnson said Monday. “We’re going to do what’s best for Rome first and foremost.”
Luther Burden III’s ankle injury only compounds the problem. While initially labeled day to day after Burden hurt his ankle after catching a screen pass in the third quarter against Cleveland, the Bears are now officially without two of their top young receivers in a game that leaves little room for improvisation.
The spotlight now shifts mainly onto D.J. Moore, while Olamide Zaccheaus is expected to see an expanded role, and both tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland will be leaned on to absorb volume in the middle of the field.
With the receiver room thinned out, the Bears may also have to explore less comfortable options. That could include situational snaps for undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker, whose size and straight-line speed at least provide a different look. It’s far from ideal, but the options are limited.
Caleb Williams Needs to Step Up
GettyBears WR Luther Burden III
The timing of these injuries couldn’t be worse for Caleb Williams, who has shown real progress this year, but remains inconsistent from week to week.
Williams has thrown 21 touchdown passes this season (already surpassing his rookie total), however, his 58.5% completion rate leaves far more to be desired. Removing Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III strips him of two familiar targets at a point when timing and trust are essential, especially against a defense that knows his tendencies.
With the playoff picture tightening, the Bears don’t have the luxury of letting opportunities slip, especially against a Packers team just half a game behind in the NFC North standings.
Green Bay will be without Micah Parsons, but it doesn’t erase Chicago’s own limitations. And while playing without Odunze and Burden will hurt, the NFC North race leaves no room for mistakes for Chicago.
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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