Bears Rule Out Rome Odunze, Among Others, Ahead of Crucial Clash with Packers
It’s official - the Chicago Bears will be without one of their brightest young stars when they take the field against the Green Bay Packers in Week 14. Rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze headlines the team’s inactive list, marking the first game he’ll miss in his NFL career.
Odunze has been playing through a stress fracture in his foot, and while the Bears have managed his reps in recent weeks, the injury has now sidelined him entirely. He’s considered week-to-week moving forward.
Here’s the full list of Bears inactives for the Packers matchup:
- Case Keenum, QB (Third QB designation)
- Tyrique Stevenson, DB
- Dominique Robinson, DL
- Rome Odunze, WR
- Ruben Hyppolite II, LB
- Jonathan Ford, DL
Let’s start with the big one: Odunze’s absence is a significant loss for a Bears offense that’s leaned heavily on his production. The first-round pick has been Caleb Williams’ go-to target all season, leading the team with 44 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns. His blend of route-running precision, physicality at the catch point, and chemistry with Williams has been a major factor in the Bears’ offensive growth.
But this is where Chicago’s depth at the skill positions gets put to the test.
With Odunze out, DJ Moore steps into the clear-cut WR1 role. Moore has already proven he can handle that spotlight, and now he’ll be leaned on even more to create separation and move the chains. Rookie Luther Burden III also figures to see an uptick in targets - he’s flashed big-play ability, and now he gets a chance to show he can handle a larger workload in a high-stakes divisional game.
Tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland are also expected to be more involved in the passing game. Kmet’s reliability on third downs and in the red zone could be crucial, while Loveland’s athleticism gives Williams another dynamic option over the middle.
Defensively, the Bears will be without a couple of key pieces for the second straight week. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II are both sidelined again due to injuries.
Stevenson’s absence means Nahshon Wright will once again step into a starting role on the outside. He’ll have his hands full against a Packers receiving corps that’s been finding its rhythm late in the season.
At linebacker, the Bears are fortunate to have T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell healthy and ready to go. Edwards has been a tackling machine all year, and Sewell’s ability to fill gaps and cover ground will be critical against a Green Bay offense that likes to use motion and misdirection.
This game carries massive implications - not just because it’s a classic Bears-Packers rivalry game, but because it could shape the playoff picture in the NFC. Chicago’s shown all season that they’re built to weather storms like this. The “next man up” mindset isn’t just a slogan in that locker room - it’s been part of their identity.
Now, with Odunze and others sidelined, we’ll see just how deep this roster really is.