"Burden is better anyway he doesn’t drop every ball": NFL fans react as Rome Odunze gets ruled out for Week 14 vs Packers

The Chicago Bears will be without Rome Odunze when they play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday. The wide receiver was not involved in the team's practice this week as he recovers from a foot injury and was eventually ruled out of the Week 14 game on Friday.

Odunze first popped up on the Bears’ injury report just before Halloween, initially listed with a heel issue. However, that hasn’t stopped him from making appearances. The wide receiver has been said to have been battling persistent foot and heel problems all through the season.

Throughout November, the Bears managed Rome Odunze’s injury by holding him out of at least one practice each week. It was a relief for the fans after his name was absent from the team’s injury report last week, leading into the game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He also showed no sign of an injury in the 24-15 win.

However, the latest injury update comes as a big setback in the wide receiver’s recovery as well as the Bears’ struggling passing game. Odunze has been the team's top receiver this season, hauling in 44 receptions on 90 targets for 661 yards and six touchdowns.

The absence of Rome Odunze against the Packers has generated a lot of reactions among fans online. While it's a setback for the team, it offers a great opportunity to other receivers, including rookie Luther Burden III, to receive targets. Here's a look at some of the reactions online:

Bears850

@bears850

@NFL @nflnetwork Burden is better anyway he doesn’t drop every ball that’s thrown to him

Aidan LaPorta

@AidanLaPorta69

@NFL @nflnetwork Packers have no excuses to lose

Tictacmagic

@tictacmagic_

@NFL @nflnetwork Uh oh. That’s not good

Nuel

@Nuelsol_

@NFL @nflnetwork Who's ready to watch

ʜᴏʟʟᴏᴡᴛɪᴅᴇ

@Hollowtide

@NFL @nflnetwork I am dead inside

0xAlex

@Web3Alex_

@NFL @nflnetwork Going to be an all out war

The Bears face the challenge of fixing their passing game without Rome Odunze

The Chicago Bears have been getting the results this season. However, the flaws in the team's passing game have been evident, and now they have to fix it against the Green Bay Packers with Rome Odunze. Ben Johnson raised his concern about the passing game on Monday.

“We gotta fundamentally be correct,” Johnson said. “The primary receiver, when he’s open, we’ve got to make sure we hit him. And then, all of our pass catchers, we just harped on it today, we need to be more disciplined in our route detail. It’s not where it needs to be.

“Our depth’s not proper all the time. Our steps [aren’t]. Everybody has a role to play to get this pass game cleaned up. It’s not where it needs to be. We’re winning in spite of our passing game, not because of it, and none of us are pleased with that right now.”

Ben Johnson's first season with the Bears has been impressive as they hold a 9-3 record entering the Packers’ game. They appear to be heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. However, the issues around the passing game require a quick fix.