Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears were seemingly coming out on the other side of what has been a long, winding journey, battling the injury bug. And then, Rome Odunze missed his second straight practice in Week 14.
Odunze has been battling a foot injury.
He was notably a regular on the injury report from Weeks 9 through 11 with foot and ankle issues, but had shed and designation heading into Week 14.
Bears Navigating New Set of Injury Concerns Before Packers Game
Rome Odunze Joins Bears’ Injury Concerns
Odunze has yet to miss any time this season, and it is unclear if his current foot issue is related to the one he dealt with earlier in the season. However, back-to-back DNPs with one session left to at least get in limited work leaves Odunze on thin ice to gain clearance for Week 14.
The Bears are visiting the Green Bay Packers.
It would be a significant blow if they had to venture into Lambeau Field down what has been Caleb Williams’ top target this season, even if their connection had slowed in recent weeks.
The Bears are hardly without perimeter options for Williams, with veterans DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus and rookie second-round draft pick Luther Burden III all healthy through two practice sessions.
Moore and Zaccheaus have not missed any time, though the former has been banged up.
Burden missed Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals with a concussion picked up the week before against the Baltimore Ravens.
Tyrique Stevenson Remains Sidelined
The Bears also remain without cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who injured his shoulder in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Stevenson also missed Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens with a shoulder issue.
He said that was the result of a stinger from an injury suffered in college that can flare up.
The Bears are fortunate that Jaylon Johnson remains a full participant in practice. Kyler Gordon is off the injury report entirely.
It also helps that the Bears have the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Month, Nahshon Wright. They are trending toward getting linebacker T.J. Edwards back for the first time since the Bengals game, too, which should help the defense in general.
Stevenson has been the Bears’ best cover corner with Johnson (and Gordon at nickel) injured.
Linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II remained a non-participant. He injured his shoulder against the Steelers, and Tremaine Edmunds must miss at least two more games on IR.
The Bears were fortunate to get Gordon and Johnson back, and Edwards appears ready to join that list. But Odunze and Stevenson will be missed if they sit. The Bears are heading into hostile territory against an opponent who is eager to notch a win for many reasons.