Rome Odunze injury update: Caleb Williams gets massive bad news on star WR's Week 14 status vs Packers

Caleb Williams’ passing options have taken another hit with star wide receiver Rome Odunze ruled out of the Bears’ Week 14 clash with Green Bay. Odunze has been out of practice the entire week as he recovers from a foot injury.

He was officially ruled out of Sunday’s game with the Packers on Friday. The Bears’ top receiver, Odunze, has consistently battled with foot and heel issues this season, although he has not missed a game until now.

He is finally set to miss his first game of the season when the in-form Bears face division rivals, the Packers, on Sunday. The 23-year-old initially appeared in the Bears’ injury report ahead of Halloween with a heel injury, requiring continuous monitoring with the training staff.

Throughout the period he’s been dealing with the injury, Odunze has managed to keep showing up for Chicago’s offense. He played 80% of the team’s offensive snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday, catching two throws for eight yards.

Odunze’s absence will spell added difficulties for the Bears’ passing game with Caleb Williams under center. Coach Ben Johnson decried the team’s passing struggles earlier this week, stating that they keep winning “in spite of” it and “not because of it.”

Williams will be left to increasingly rely on rookie Luther Burden III and Olamide Zaccheaus as targets. Meanwhile, DJ Moore, Colston Loveland, and Cole Kmet will also provide more passing options for the under-fire quarterback.

The Bears’ defense is also hit with injuries, as cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II are also out of the Packers’ game. However, T.J. Edwards is set to return after a hand surgery and hamstring injury kept him out for weeks.

How Chicago’s offense and Caleb Williams will fare without Rome Odunze

The Bears’ offense will continue to rely on its run game against the Packers on Sunday, remaining at full strength after last week’s victory. The Bears rushed for 281 yards as they beat the Eagles, with Kyle Monangai dominating with a 130-yard rushing performance.

The running back who’s had ankle worries is available for Sunday’s showdown with the Packers, breaking free of any injury designation ahead of the game.

Caleb Williams will lead the Bears’ offense against a Packers’ defense that’s one of the toughest in the league, hoping to extend its winning streak. Chicago has now won five straight games and leads the NFC North after starting the season with two straight defeats.