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Bears' Rome Odunze Announces Update Before NFL Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jan 9, 2026 9:02 AM ET

The rivalry between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers will be renewed Saturday night.

Chicago is set to host its first playoff game since 2018, and the meeting with the Packers will mark only the third time in NFL history the Bears and Green Bay have faced each other in the postseason.

The Bears closed the regular season at 11-6, earning the NFC's No. 2 seed despite consecutive losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions to close their campaign.

Green Bay, finishing at 9-7-1, enters the playoffs as the No. 7 and last seed following four straight losses and a damaging season-ending injury to linebacker Micah Parsons.

Bears WR Rome Odunze expected to play vs. Packers after missing last five games with a foot injury. Read all about it:https://t.co/sa4zFrzcVh
— Larry Mayer (@LarryMayer) January 8, 2026

One of the key questions ahead of the wild-card matchup was the availability of Bears receiver Rome Odunze. After missing five straight games with a foot injury, Odunze returned to practice and was a full participant Thursday.

There is no injury designation listed for Odunze in the Bears' latest injury report, and signs point to him being active for Saturday’s game at Soldier Field.

“I feel good,” Odunze said. “I’m excited. Obviously, we’ll see what happens. I’ve been in preparation for it for five weeks now.”

Odunze credited the training staff for keeping him physically and mentally prepared.

“The strength staff did a great job of continuing to prepare me and get me to a spot where I feel comfortable, and I do,” Odunze said. “I feel comfortable, got a week in at practice, feel like we prepared at a high level, got my feet back underneath me. I'm ready to go out there and give my all.”

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) carries the ball.David Reginek-Imagn Images

Odunze last played in the Bears' 24-15 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 28 and was ruled out for the final five games of the season.

In 12 games, Odunze caught 44 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns before being sidelined.

“All my energy, my focus, my attitude has been on that mark,” Odunze said. “When I got to an understanding with the training staff that this would be my benchmark, I put all my energy and effort into that.”

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday in Chicago. It can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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