WEEK 1 RISK RISING

Rome Odunze remained off the practice field Monday after leaving Chicago's previous session with an apparent right foot/leg issue.

The absence becomes more meaningful because reporting indicated the problem appeared to involve the same right foot that bothered Odunze last season. Chicago has not provided an official diagnosis, and its first Week 1 injury report does not arrive until Wednesday.

HAVE A BACKUP READY

Do not bench Odunze yet.

But managers planning to start him should have another Week 1 option available rather than assuming he'll be cleared without restriction.

If Odunze remains out when Chicago issues its official report Wednesday, the concern increases substantially. Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland would become more interesting if Odunze's availability or workload is compromised.

Rome Odunze — WR, Chicago Bears

WEEK 1 RISK RISING

We're not calling this a major injury without evidence.

We're also no longer dismissing it.

Odunze left practice Thursday and wasn't back Monday. At this point in the calendar, continued absence matters regardless of whether the original injury was believed to be minor.

Wednesday becomes the important checkpoint.

Until Odunze returns, Week 1 uncertainty stays on the board.