NFL Rumors: Bears’ Rome Odunze Week-By-Week After Knee Injury Diagnosed As MCL Sprain | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze is considered a “week-to-week” player with an MCL injury he suffered during the team’s 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Odunze suffered the injury while blocking on a run play in the fourth quarter when a Titans defender landed on his leg. He left the game and did not return.

The 22-year-old was targeted four times in his NFL debut and caught the ball once for 11 yards.

The Bears offense as a whole couldn’t stay consistent against Tennessee, allowing just 148 total yards. However, they still managed to secure the 17-point comeback victory thanks to several exceptional plays on defense and special teams.

Odunze wasn’t the only Bears rookie with a relatively quiet debut: Caleb Williams completed 14 of 29 passes for 93 yards without recording a touchdown or interception.

Still, Odunze entered the regular season with high expectations after Chicago selected him with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 draft. The former Washington star started the preseason strong, hauling in a 45-yard catch against the Cincinnati Bengals on August 17.

He also received plenty of praise from his veteran teammates during training camp, including six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen.

“He’s a little bit better than I was when I came in,” Allen said, according to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. “He’s quicker. He’s coming out of his breaks better than I did when I was that young. He looks like he’s more polished than I was as a receiver.”

Odunze is reportedly expected to be out for some time, but Tyler Scott and DeAndre Carter could see expanded roles alongside Allen and DJ Moore in Chicago’s starting lineup.

The Bears will look to survive without the rookie and secure a 2-0 start in their Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans. Sunday evening football.