Sep 8, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) attempts to make a catch against Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker (37) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Keenan Allen out, Rome Odunze in for Bears vs. Texans

Chicago Bears receiver Keenan Allen is one of the team’s inactives and will miss Sunday night’s road game against the Houston Texans.

Fellow wideout Rome Odunze is set to play in the contest.

Allen didn’t practice all week after aggravating a heel injury in last week’s season-opening victory over the Tennessee Titans. Odunze sustained a sprained knee against the Titans and returned to practice Friday on a limited basis.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus had said both players were game-time decisions. Allen (908 career receptions) and Odunze (the ninth overall choice of the 2024 draft) are both in their first season with Chicago.

The other inactives for the Bears are offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie, fullback Khari Blasingame, receiver Velus Jones Jr., defensive lineman Dominique Robinson and linebacker Noah Sewell.

Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is inactive. The other Houston inactives are linebackers Jamal Hill and Rashad Weaver, safety M.J. Stewart, receiver John Metchie III and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.

–Field Level Allen

Aug 10, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Bears rookie WR Rome Odunze to have MRI on knee

Chicago Bears rookie receiver Rome Odunze is awaiting MRI results on his knee, coach Matt Eberflus confirmed Monday.

Eberflus said the injury occurred while Odunze was engaged in a blocking assignment.

“We’ll see,” the coach told reporters. “I don’t have enough information yet.”

Odunze, the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, caught one pass for 11 yards on Sunday in Chicago’s season-opening 24-17 win against the Tennessee Titans.

His second-quarter reception was one for the highlight reel, as Odunze leaped to snag a ball that had bounced off a defender’s helmet. Odunze fumbled after the reception but it was recovered by teammate Teven Jenkins, setting up a Cairo Santos field goal for a 17-3 halftime lead.

Odunze, 22, caught 92 passes for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns in 15 games in his final season at the University of Washington in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) and Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) react after a flag was thrown during the fourth quarter in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Washington WR Rome Odunze, projected first-rounder, enters draft

Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze entered the 2024 NFL Draft and is projected to be a first-round pick.

Odunze is rated the No. 2 receiver and No. 6 prospect in the draft by Field Level Media, which graded Odunze as a first-round pick in 2023 when he opted to return to chase a national championship.

Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. entered the draft earlier this week, which could make the top of the 2024 group one of the best in years.

Odunze said he received “some solid feedback” from the NFL a year ago when he reached out regarding a potential decision to turn pro. In the end, he said it wasn’t enough to push him to leave Seattle.

But Odunze isn’t bashful about assessing his skill set as a fit in the NFL.

“I think it translates well. I think I have a wide variety of skills, you know. I can get the job done on any given play with those skill sets and I think I’m a student of the game and the league, I think it becomes a lot more mental than it is physical at times,” Odunze said prior to the CFP national championship. “You have to have the physical attributes and the ability which I think I have, but I have the mental fortitude to be able to go through those 17 weeks and to be able to learn and grow and become a more knowledgeable football player that I think will be key.”

Odunze recorded 92 receptions for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Huskies in his final season. Washington (14-1) finished runner-up in the College Football Playoff, losing to Michigan in the national title game in Houston last week.

In four seasons with Washington, Odunze had 214 receptions for 3,272 yards and 24 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media