The Chicago Bears got some encouraging news after seeing two starters–running back D’Andre Swift and wide receiver Rome Odunze-exit practice early on Thursday, their final session before a mini-bye ahead of Week 1.
Odunze is coming off an injury-hampered 2025 season, but has not been bothered by his previously balky foot. Swift dealt with soft-tissue injuries in 2025. Both missed time.
Their exits undercut another player’s return to practice, while Caleb Williams caught a game.
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Per The Athletic’s Dan Wiederer, Odunze left the practice field in the “first hour,” while Swift departed “in the final stages” of what was a two-hour session.
Neither player returned.
“Bears RB D’Andre Swift, who left Thursday’s practice and was said to be in significant discomfort, was said to be experiencing ‘a cramp’, per sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X on September 3.
“Update: Preliminary indications are that Bears WR Rome Odunze should be all good after leaving today’s practice,” Wiederer reported in a follow-up.”
The Bears will be off until next week, when they will begin preparing for Week 1.
That should, the Bears hope, give Odunze and Swift–and possibly some of their other injured players-enough time to overcome whatever ails them. Practice participation next week just became more of a source of intrigue.
Austin Booker Returns to Practice
As it stands, the news on Odunze and Swift has dimmed the would-be excitement over the return of Austin Booker, per CHGO’s Adam Hoge.
“The good news is that Austin Booker was back at practice today and even did some team stuff,” Hoge reported on X on September 3 before noting the injuries and subsequent practice exits of Odunze and Swift.
Booker picked up an injury in the Bears’ joint practice against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Caleb Williams Attends Cubs Game With Fellow Chicago Stars
Williams was in the house to see the Chicago Cubs defeat the Milwaukee Brewers, along with Chicago Bulls stars and fellow former first-round draft picks Matas Buzelis and rookie No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson and Lyrical Lemonade’s Cole Bennett.
In addition to their postgame photo-up, Williams and the crew also shared a moment with Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.
During the most recent episode of First We Feast’s “Hot Ones,” Williams talked about falling in love with the city of Chicago and being friends with his fellow local athletes. That was all on display on Thursday night.
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