Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze. David Reginek-Imagn Images

Bears WR Rome Odunze 'noncommittal' on playing in postseason

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Jan 2, 2026 4:40 PM ET

The Chicago Bears appeared to have good news for Rome Odunze on Friday when the wide receiver returned to practice as a limited participant.

The Bears officially gave Odunze a questionable designation for a foot injury before their Week 18 contest at home against the Detroit Lions.

However, it's unclear if Odunze will play against the Lions or even in the wild-card round.

Per Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times, Odunze told reporters he was "noncommittal" on a return for the playoffs. He's trying to avoid surgery.

"Bears WR Rome Odunze is noncommittal on a return, even for next week," Leiser posted on X. "Says the target for a return has moved a couple times. Focused on rehab and trying to get back.

"Odunze says he doesn’t think he’ll need surgery on his foot. Odunze said he felt 'pretty good' at practice today (limited) and would like to play Sunday vs. Lions if possible. He won’t sit just for rest’s sake."

Bears WR Rome Odunze is noncommittal on a return, even for next week. Says the target for a return has moved a couple times. Focused on rehab and trying to get back.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) January 2, 2026

The Chicago Bears have been without Rome Odunze since November

Odunze was the Bears’ leading receiver before he suffered a foot injury against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 28.

Chicago made the second-year receiver active against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15, but Odunze re-aggravated the foot injury during pregame warmups.

The Bears considered placing Odunze on injured reserve after Week 15, but they have kept him on the active roster. He also missed Week 16 and Week 17 with the injury.

It would be smart for Chicago to keep Odunze sidelined against the Lions this week. Even though the Bears can clinch the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a win, giving Odunze an extra week to get healthier for the postseason is more important than seeding.

Still, there appears to be a legitimate fear he might not return for the playoffs. He'd be a big miss for quarterback Caleb Williams, who found Odunze to be one of his top targets when healthy.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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