The Bears have listed four players as questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Panthers in Charlotte, including starting receiver Rome Odunze.
Odunze, a third-year pro, sustained a calf injury last week and was limited in all three practices this week. Before Friday's practice, coach Ben Johnson gave an update.
"Our plan was to get him to practice yesterday and today, and we'll assess where he's at after that," Johnson said. "He's looked good from my perspective, but we've also got a long season coming up on us, and we want to do what's right for him for the long term as well."
Odunze has become one of quarterback Caleb Williams' most trusted targets since the Bears drafted the pair at Nos. 1 and 9 overall in 2024. Last season, Odunze played in 12 regular-season games, missing time with a foot injury, and caught 44 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns. He had one of the best starts to the 2025 season by any NFL receiver, becoming the only player to record a touchdown reception in each of the first four contests.
"[Rome is] somebody our quarterback has great comfort with, we have great trust in because he's played so many snaps for us, and played so many snaps so far in the NFL in his early career," offensive coordinator Press Taylor said Thursday.
Also listed as questionable are backup quarterback Tyson Bagent (back), offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo (knee) and defensive back Xavier Woods (groin).
Bagent did not practice this week. Johnson did not provide a timetable for his return, but told reporters the Bears are comfortable with veteran Case Keenum serving as Williams' backup against Carolina if needed.
Trapilo is working back from a season-ending knee injury he suffered in the Bears' Wild Card win over Green Bay in January and was a limited participant in practice this week. Woods appeared on the injury report Thursday as a limited participant. The veteran, who joined the Bears last month, was also limited Friday.
Source: www.chicagobears.com — Read the original article
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