The Chicago Bears managed to secure a victory in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans, but they suffered significant injuries to key players in the process.
The most concerning injuries were to Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (knee), with Odunze’s injury potentially severe enough to keep him sidelined for Sunday’s game.
Dr. Jesse Morse, an NFL injury specialist, suggested in a video posted to X on Thursday that Odunze’s MCL sprain could keep him out for this week and possibly the next.
This prediction is notable because Bears head coach Matt Eberflus had previously described Odunze’s status as day-to-day, and Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Rome Odunze had participated in some practice and conditioning.
For Bears fans, this news is troubling as rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will need time to build chemistry with Odunze.
On the upside, the injury clarifies the target distribution for fantasy football players, making it easier to predict the roles of Allen, DJ Moore, and other players like D’Andre Swift and Cole Kmet.
Regarding Allen, Morse indicated there’s no immediate cause for concern. “Keenan Allen’s heel issue isn’t overly troubling,” Morse said. “He had a 44 percent target share, and though the team didn’t pass much, he should be a strong performer as long as he stays healthy, which he has managed to do in recent years.”
It’s important to note, though, that Allen did not practice at all this week, while Odunze practiced some on Friday. Both players are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.