The Chicago Bears opened the 2026 regular season with an injury report that looks manageable, and the biggest name on it is trending in the right direction.
Rome Odunze is the main storyline as Chicago gets ready to face the Carolina Panthers in a matchup of two 2025 division champions. Odunze had a lower-leg injury before the Labor Day weekend break, which sparked concern about whether he’d be ready for Week 1. But after head coach Ben Johnson called him "day-to-day," the first report of the year offered a more encouraging sign.
Odunze was listed as limited with a calf issue. The Bears did not practice Wednesday, so the report is based on estimates, but the early read still points toward optimism for Chicago.
He was one of three players on the report. Quarterback Tyson Bagent was listed as DNP with a back injury, while left tackle Ozzy Trapilo was limited with a knee injury.
Name, Position
Injury
Practice Status
Tyson Bagent, QB
Back
DNP
Rome Odunze, WR
Calf
Limited
Ozzy Trapilo, OT
Knee
Limited
Johnson has already said that if things go well, he expects Odunze to play, and this report lines up with that outlook. If Odunze is active, the Bears may still lean more heavily on Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland in the passing game than usual.
Bagent’s back issue has lingered since the week of the Tennessee Titans joint practice and preseason game. If he can’t suit up, Case Keenum would be the backup. Chicago is hoping it won’t be short at quarterback, but that scenario is now in play.
Trapilo is also still easing back from his knee injury, and the Bears are not expected to rush him. It would be a surprise if he is on the field at left tackle before the end of the month. Braxton Jones has already been named the starter and could keep that spot for a while.
For a team that was dealing with a long list of injury names every week last year, this is a much cleaner opening report. Bagent and Trapilo look more likely than not to miss Week 1, while Odunze appears headed toward being available.
Chicago still has two more practices before it officially lines up against Carolina, so things can shift. But for now, the Bears have real reason to think Odunze will be active when the season kicks off.
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