{"id":36721,"date":"2026-07-30T19:12:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T19:12:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/36721\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T19:12:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T19:12:11","slug":"chicago-bears-wr-rome-odunze-changes-tune-on-permanent-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/36721\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze changes tune on permanent injury"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chicago Bears<\/a> wide receiver Rome Odunze<\/a> didn\u2019t have an optimistic outlook on his foot in June following an injury he sustained last season.<\/p>\n

Odunze missed the final five games of the regular season and caught only four passes for 88 yards in the postseason.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my new normal,\u201d Odunze said<\/a>. \u201cAnd it\u2019s not from a standpoint that I\u2019m always in pain, but the way my foot broke, there\u2019s callouses in there that create a different type of foot structure with those bones \u2014 different types of things that kind of shift things around.\u201d<\/p>\n

For obvious reasons, Odunze\u2019s comments were worrisome. The No. 9 pick in the 2024 draft appeared to be quarterback Caleb Williams<\/a>\u2019 favorite target, as Odunze caught 101 passes for 734 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie season. He led the Bears in recovering with 661 yards and six touchdowns before suffering the foot injury.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, Odunze appeared to walk his statement back from the spring, saying he doesn\u2019t think about his foot anymore.<\/p>\n

More News: Chicago Bears have \u2018trust\u2019 issues with Kyler Gordon: Ben Johnson<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Rome\"RomeJun 11, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) run on the field during Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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\u201cI know \u2018new normal,\u2019 that has a bunch of connotations of like chronic and severe, like, never going to be the same,\u201d Odunze said<\/a>, via Chris Emma of \u201cThe Score.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s not like that at all. Like, I\u2019m completely fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

If true, Odunze\u2019s new health should be good for the Bears, who traded DJ Moore<\/a> to the Buffalo Bills in the offseason. For Odunze, he needs to play at his best this season before he becomes eligible for a contract extension after the end of the regular season.<\/p>\n

Odunze has competition for the WR1 job this offseason. 2025 second-round pick Luther Burden III<\/a> had a strong second half of the season and has a chance to become the clear No. 1 target at receiver for Williams. Though both Burden and Odunze will have to compete for targets with Colston Loveland<\/a>, who led Chicago in receiving last year.<\/p>\n

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