The Chicago Bears were able to escape Week 1 with a win over the Tennessee Titans, but not without sustaining significant injuries to several playmakers.
The most notable injuries were to Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (knee), and it’s looking like Odunze’s may be severe enough to force him out of game action this Sunday.
National Football League injury expert Dr. Jesse Morse predicted as much in a video he posted to X on Thursday night.
“Rome Odunze unfortunately suffered an MCL sprain while he was blocking, and that’s probably gonna hold him out at least this week and probably next week,” Morse said.
That’s somewhat of a bold prediction, considering that Odunze was reported as being day-to-day this week by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and was also reported as dressing for practice and conditioning on the side, per Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times.
For Bears fans, this is unsettling news as rookie quarterback Caleb Williams needs time to develop chemistry with Odunze.
However, this injury news clears up a lot of speculation and doubt for fantasy football players.
The target share will be less murky with Odunze out of the picture for Allen, DJ Moore, and even the likes of D’Andre Swift and Cole Kmet.
If you’re worried about Allen, Morse doesn’t think you should be — at least for now.
“Keenan Allen with his heel, not overly concerning,” Morse said. “He had a 44 percent target share. They just didn’t throw the ball a lot. So, I think when they start throwing it more, he’s gonna be a beast as long as he can stay healthy, which he’s been able to do the past couple of years.”
It should be noted, however, that Allen did not practice at all this week and Odunze did practice some on Friday. Both are listed as questionable for Sunday.
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