Odunze (calf) listed as questionable for Week 1

Odunze came down with an impressive 47-yard contested catch near the end zone in the first half. He was quiet from there on out. Running a route on about 60 percent of the Bears’ drop backs, Odunze may have been limited by the calf injury that kept him out of practice for much of last week. Odunze will continue as a high-variance downfield option in a run-first Chicago offense next week against the Vikings. He should be treated as nothing more than a WR3 option in 12-team formats.

Odunze missed some practice time this week with the calf issue and was considered questionable headed into the weekend. He could see his snaps and routes limited if the calf is still bothering him. Odunze should be considered a high-variance flex option with a frightening floor against the Panthers. Bears declared QB Tyson Bagent, QB Miller Moss, S Xavier Woods, OT Ozzy Trapilo, DE Jamree Kromah, and OL Jordan McFadden inactive for the team’s season opener.

Odunze was limited by the calf issue throughout the week before being listed as questionable on Friday. He will suit up today but might not be at full strength. Odunze will be a high-risk WR3 for his 2026 opener. To no one’s surprise, Colston Loveland trails only Trey McBride in the tight end rankings, while Luther Burden is a speculative WR2.

This wouldn’t be news under normal circumstances but takes on additional meaning with Rome Odunze listed questionable for Week 1. It is of particular note that the Bears already have five wide receivers on the active roster and still chose to elevate another. While recent reports seemed to indicate a sense of optimism regarding Odunze’s potential availability, he could be on the wrong side of questionable given the recent transaction. Fantasy managers will want to confirm his status when the team releases its inactives 90 minutes prior to first kick. Luther Burden and Colston Loveland would be in line to benefit greatly should Odunze be unable to go.

Bears coach Ben Johnson called Odunze “day to day” earlier this week. He went down with the calf injury in practice late last week. The initial reports were all positive, but it’s not a guarantee that Odunze will be ready for Week 1. A full practice over the next two days would be a good sign, though not necessary for Odunze to play. Assuming he does suit up, Odunze will be a high-riskF FLEX play.

Johnson added that he was “hopeful” Odunze would go on Sunday. Check back on Wednesday to see if he actually hits an injury report, but Odunze hasn’t practiced yet this week and that’s certainly not a great sign even if we’re not rushing to rule him out just yet.

Odunze suffered a leg injury on Thursday. The Athletic’s Dan Wiederer said later in the day that the belief is that Odunze “should be all good” after the injury scare, but it’s something to keep an eye on this week. The Bears won’t release their first injury report until Wednesday, which could serve as the first clear look at where things stand for Odunze for Week 1 against the Panthers. If he is unable to go, second-year players Luther Burden and Colston Loveland could both see a slight uptick in target volume.

Let it be known that these are “preliminary indications” from Wiederer, but Bears fans and fantasy managers alike can breathe a sigh of relief. The team will now go on break over the weekend, and coach Ben Johnson will address the media sometime next week. The first injury report comes out on Wednesday, so we should have an update by then, at the latest. It should be noted that Odunze injured his left foot last season. Today’s injury is to his right leg, so the two issues are unrelated. This is not a re-injury. For now, there is reason for cautious optimism regarding Odunze’s health.

Per Hammond, Odunze “came up hobbling during an install period at the start of practice,” with what appeared to be a right leg injury. Apparently, Odunze “wasn’t overly concerned” and tried to continue practicing, but Bears trainers removed him from the field. That last bit is encouraging. Hopefully, Odunze’s Week 1 availability has not been jeopardized. Bears TE Colston Loveland and WR Luther Burden would benefit if Odunze cannot play. Odunze is backed up by WR Kalif Raymond.

Odunze caused concern earlier this offseason, saying his 2025 foot injury created “a different type of foot structure” and that he was learning to deal with the “new normal.” Speaking with ESPN’s Courtney Cronin today, Odunze said he articulated his prior comments poorly and that his foot issue is “not even really something that I think about anymore.” Sounds like he has successfully adjusted to the new normal, which is great to hear. Odunze is jockeying for position in the Bears’ target pecking order with TE Colston Loveland and WR Luther Burden this summer.