As the Chicago Bears head into their first away game under rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, there’s a chance he does so with a different group of receivers than he had in Week 1.
The Bears could be without wide receivers Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen this week, as both players enter Week 2 nursing injuries from Sunday.
Chicago Bears’ Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen Injury Update
Following their Week 1 victory against the Tennessee Titans, the Bears left with a win and a pair of banged-up receivers.
Head coach Matt Eberflus gave an update on Odunze after the game, noting that he’d be getting an MRI on his knee. On a blocking play by Odunze, his leg got rolled up on, causing the rookie to require further medical attention.
It was determined through the MRI that Odunze is considered day-to-day. Coach Eberflus didn’t have much of an update on the severity of the injury aside from noting that it wasn’t serious.
As things currently stand, it’s going to be a waiting game to see if Odunze will play in the Bears’ Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans.
As for Allen, he left the game late after coming up from a deep ball hobbling. It didn’t seem like an overly serious injury, given the fact that Allen could walk off the field under his own power. Eberflus confirmed the lack of severity in his press conference on Wednesday, noting today would be a rest day for the banged-up veteran.
“I think it’s just about rest,” said Eberflus. “Hopefully, the rest helps. I can’t say it definitively right now, but I know that right now, they’re telling me he’s got to rest this day. Then, we’re going to see where he’s going to feel tomorrow to be able to do some practice.”
Allen’s status for Chicago’s Sunday night matchup is unclear, though the injury doesn’t appear serious.
The final receiver to seek medical attention during Sunday’s game was DJ Moore. However, after returning to the game shortly after spending some time in the medical tent, Moore confirmed there was nothing to worry about with his health.
“I just landed and stretched my side, but I’m totally fine,” said Moore.
Even if Odunze and Allen miss this game, which is uncertain at the moment, there isn’t a concern about the next players stepping up and filling the shoes left behind.
Set to make his second NFL start this week and on Sunday Night Football against the Texans, Williams understands what each receiver brings to the table.
“They’re all different in their own aspects, but that’s why we have so many reps and things like that throughout training camp,” said Williams. “We’re going to get reps with some other guys and keep building that trust and belief and bond. We’ve been building that since I got here around three or four months ago.
I think, obviously, there’s going to be a difference because Tyler [Scott]’s not Keenan [Allen], but Tyler is Tyler, Keenan’s Keenan. It’s just adjusting to that.”
The Bears’ offense didn’t find much success last week in a game with all three of their starting receivers, but the confidence of Chicago’s starting quarterback isn’t wavering.
Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears Injury Report
Texans
- WR Nico Collins (Limited)
- RB Dameon Pierce (Limited)
- TE Dalton Schultz (DNP)
- C Juice Scruggs (Limited)
- S M.J. Stewart (DNP)
Bears
- WR Keenan Allen (DNP)
- OT Kiran Amegadjie (Limited)
- OT Ryan Bates (DNP)
- FB Khari Blasingame (DNP)
- WR Rome Odunze (DNP)
- DL Zacch Pickens (Full)
- DE DeMarcus Walker (Limited)