Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze will not participate in the season finale, as he has been ruled inactive for the Week 18 matchup against the Lions at Soldier Field. Odunze returned to practice last Friday for the first time since December 12 but was unable to commit to a return for the Bears’ upcoming playoff game, even after being listed as questionable.
In addition to Odunze, left tackle Ozzy Trapilo will also miss the game due to a knee and quad injury sustained last week. Trapilo was limited throughout practice this week, prompting the Bears to assign Theo Benedet, who has started seven games this season, as his replacement.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is sidelined with a concussion, contributing to the list of inactive players that also includes quarterback Case Keenum, linebacker Ruben Hyppolite, and Nick McCloud.
Odunze has dealt with persistent foot issues throughout the season, which worsened during a game against the Eagles on November 28. He had anticipated being able to play against the Browns on December 14 but experienced discomfort during warm-ups, leading to his inactive status. Reflecting on his challenges, Odunze commented on the fluctuating nature of his recovery but stated that rest is the most effective treatment for his condition. Fortunately, he does not believe that surgery will be necessary for his recovery.
With Odunze just 10 receiving yards shy of clinching the Bears’ receiving yards lead, which is currently held by DJ Moore, the team will need to strategize effectively to compensate for his absence as they prepare for the postseason. Despite these setbacks, the Bears remain optimistic about their playoff prospects and the potential contributions of their remaining key players.