Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze scratched just before kickoff
Rome Odunze’s Bears return will have to wait.
The Chicago receiver was ruled out of Sunday’s Week 15 matchup against the Browns just minutes before kickoff after aggravating his foot injury, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.
The second-year wide receiver, who missed the Bears’ loss to the Packers last week, was previously listed as questionable with a foot injury, but was upgraded to active on Saturday as the Bears had growing optimism to play him.
It’s unclear what aggravated Odunze’s foot in the lead-up to the game.
He was limited throughout practice this week while dealing with lingering foot and heel problems he has had since October.
The Bears shut out the Browns in Odunze’s absence in the first half Sunday, 14-0.
The Bears are in the thick of the NFC playoff race as they look to punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2020.
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They are chasing the Packers (9-3) for NFC North supremacy.
Odunze is in his second season with the Bears, who drafted him ninth overall in 2024.
Through 12 games, he’s tallied 44 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns.
The Bears will face the Packers next Saturday night.