The Chicago Bears officially started a new era on Sunday when they kicked off the 2024 season against the Tennessee Titans.
While they won, 24-17, it wasn’t the best of debuts for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, nor was it a great day for fellow rookie Rome Odunze.
Odunze had just one catch for 11 yards and left the game in the fourth quarter with an apparent knee injury, and it has been revealed that the Bears believe he sustained a Grade 1 knee sprain and that he will seek a second opinion, per Jordan Schultz.
Sources: The initial belief is that #Bears rookie WR Rome Odunze suffered a Grade 1 knee sprain during Sunday’s win over the #Titans.
Odunze will seek a second opinion, but this is best case scenario for the talented rookie receiver. pic.twitter.com/UGYr6fs24I
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 9, 2024
Per Adam Schefter, the injury is to Odunze’s MCL.
Bears first-round pick Rome Odunze sprained his MCL and will be considered week to week, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 9, 2024
While a lot of the attention on the Bears has been directed in the way of Williams, who is thought to be a generational talent, Odunze has some star potential himself.
As a junior at the University of Washington in 2022, he caught 75 passes for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns, and last season, he upped his production to 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns on 81 receptions.
He made the All-Pac-12 first team both seasons, and he is one of three very gifted wideouts Chicago boasts this season.
They also have veteran Keenan Allen, a six-time Pro Bowler, and one of the more underrated WRs in the game in D.J. Moore.
Moore has tallied at least 1,100 receiving yards in four of the last five seasons, and he and Allen should allow Chicago to be competitive while Odunze recovers from his injury.
Chicago will face a stiff test next week when they visit the talented and explosive Houston Texans.
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Colin Cowherd Says He’s Worried About Rookie QB’s Accuracy