The Bears believed they pulled off a coup by leaving April's draft with both Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, but the early results were shaky in Week 1.
Williams wasn't able to clear 100 passing yards, and Odunze caught just one of four targets for 11 yards. The Bears managed to win anyway with the help of some unlikely defensive and special teams touchdowns, but more is needed from the passing game going forward if Chicago wants to linger in playoff contention.
Adding to the uncertainty is Odunze's health, as the rookie is dealing with an injury ahead of a "Sunday Night Football" matchup against Houston in Week 2.
Here are the latest updates on Odunze's injury and his status going forward.
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Rome Odunze injury update
Odunze wasn't known to be dealing with an injury after Sunday's win, but Bears coach Matt Eberflus revealed Monday that the rookie will undergo an MRI on his knee.
Video from late in the Bears' win over the Titans shows Odunze hopping over to the sideline, and he never re-entered the game.
Bears WR Rome Odunze's last play on the field was D'Andre Swift's 20-yard run with 4:22 left in the 4th quarter. You can see him hopping off to the sideline at the end of the play pic.twitter.com/kVJ52xkgqb
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) September 9, 2024
Odunze's leg appeared to get tangled up on the previous play.
Here's the previous play, the screen pass to Velus Jones. You can see Rome Odunze get rolled up as Jones gets tackled pic.twitter.com/GxmwgbKIBU
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) September 9, 2024
Odunze's only catch in the victory came on a pass that wasn't even intended for him, as the throw from Caleb Williams bounced off a defender and up into the air before landing in the rookie's hands.
The Bears have high hopes for Odunze to become a potential cornerstone for their offense, but they weren't putting too much pressure on him this season with both DJ Moore and Keenan Allen in the fold. Still, such a sluggish game from Chicago's offense on Sunday opens the door for anyone to step up. Any missed time for Odunze would be a missed opportunity to emerge as a central piece of the offense next to the veteran starters.
MORE: What message did Caleb Williams have on his fingernails vs. Titans?
Rome Odunze fantasy outlook
Odunze's potential is sky-high, but his fantasy outlook wasn't especially promising entering 2024 because of the presence of both Moore and Allen, plus TE Cole Kmet.
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The Washington product played 77 percent of snaps in Week 1 and saw more targets than Kmet, but Moore and Allen were targeted a combined 19 times. Even if Odunze is healthy, the focus on the veteran receivers plus the reality that the Bears' passing offense might not be as high-octane as some believed puts a damper on the rookie's immediate fantasy impact.
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Fantasy owners will still be holding their breath awaiting the results of Odunze's MRI, as he's someone who could become more valuable as the season progresses due to his still-developing connection with Williams.
