Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze was on the field plenty during his NFL debut, something that is news to his fantasy football managers. That’s because the explosive rookie managed just 2.1 PPR points — an underwhelming stat line that might be explained a bit by a lack of knee stability.
Fantasy Football Impact: Rome Odunze Ailing
After Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters on Monday that Odunze is getting an MRI on his knee.
Then, on Monday evening, NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported that Odunze suffered a Grade 1 knee sprain and that he will be seeking a second opinion. ESPN’s Adam Schefter shortly after confirmed this report, and said Odunze is considered week-to-week.
With Odunze’s injury, managers naturally are wondering what this could mean for the talent around him.
In the Bears’ Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans, they looked like a team with a rookie quarterback who is going to take time to develop. Caleb Williams finished his first NFL start with more incompletions (15) than completions (14). I’m not worried about those numbers as much as I am where he was looking.
It’s difficult to sustain three viable pass catchers, and the Bears couldn’t do that in Week 1 — in a game where the script worked into their favor (they were trailing for six of their 10 possessions) against a vulnerable defense where the tight ends were hardly used at all.
As will be the case with other deep offenses (think Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers as the high-end versions of this), consistency for all involved is not going to be a calling card.
I suspect it’s possible that we just saw Williams’ worst game of the season, and that naturally means Odunze’s stock will improve with time, assuming health.
At the moment, I’m skeptical about betting on Williams until we see it at the professional level. That said, the raw talent is too obvious, and the path to a role is too clear to do anything other than be patient with Odunze.
There aren’t any reports that suggest that he will miss extended time (it sounds more cautionary than anything). If that assumption is accurate, this kid deserves to remain a solid stash who could peak when you need it most, something we’ve seen from rookie wideouts in the past.
In the short term, this only puts more usage onto the shoulders of DJ Moore and Keenan Allen (combined 65.5% target share), two receivers that have proven capable of handling such a role in the past.
Chicago travels to Houston this week in a game with a projected total of 45- 46 points. I, like sportsbooks, expect the Bears to play from behind in this spot, which opens the door for both of these chain-moving receivers to return PPR Flex value.
I prefer to approach this situation with caution. Even if Odunze sits out this week, we need proof of concept that Williams’ targets are worth something. A concentrated offense is great, but it assures you of nothing (remember Adam Thielen last season outside of one strong month?).
I’m not saying Williams is Bryce Young. He’s not, he’s much better. But if you have the opportunity to bet on a receiver with a more proven entity under center (I’m talking about DK Metcalf, Xavier Worthy, or Tee Higgins if he returns to action), I’m plugging them into lineups ahead of either Allen or Moore in Week 2.