Bears rookie WR Rome Odunze dealing with left MCL sprain

[September 10, 2024]  Chicago Bears rookie receiver Rome Odunze has a left MCL sprain, multiple media outlets reported Monday night.
 
Bears coach Matt Eberflus said the injury occurred while Odunze was engaged in a blocking assignment. Odunze was scheduled to get an MRI earlier Monday, and Eberflus initially wasn't sure of the severity of the injury.  

Apr 26, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears first round draft choice and number nine overall pick Rome Odunze speaks at a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

"We'll see," Eberflus 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

[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]
 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.