LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — While Caleb Williams’ shaky NFL debut served as a reminder that the No. 1 pick in the draft is a work in progress, the Chicago Bears have a concern about another high-profile rookie following their season-opening win over Tennessee.
Receiver Rome Odunze was having an MRI on Monday for a knee injury he suffered against the Titans.
Coach Matt Eberflus said he thinks Odunze was hurt blocking on Sunday. He had little to say about the severity of the injury or the team’s level of concern.
“I don’t have enough information yet,” Eberflus said. “We’ll see on Wednesday.”
The No. 9 overall pick, Odunze had one catch for 11 yards against the Titans on a field-goal drive late in the first half. Williams tried to hit DJ Moore in a crowd, and the ball popped up. Odunze made the catch and fumbled before Chicago recovered at the Tennessee 10.
Odunze was targeted four times in the game and was in on 77% of the offensive snaps. He was seen hopping toward the sideline during D’Andre Swift’s 20-yard run with 4:22 left in the game.
Odunze is part of a potentially potent trio in Chicago after leading the nation with a school-record 1,640 yards for Washington last season. The Bears also made a blockbuster trade for a receiver for the second straight year, getting six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers after acquiring DJ Moore from Carolina in 2023.
Even though Chicago loaded up around him, it was hardly a smooth debut for Williams. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner out of Southern California overthrew receivers and finished 14 of 29 for 93 yards and two sacks.
Eberflus said Williams’ footwork was a bit off. But he thought his quarterback was picking up the defenses and making the right reads.
“As the chemistry builds throughout the course of the season here as we stack these games up, it’s gonna get better,” Eberflus said. “He’s got a very accurate arm. His timing is good. And the chemistry with the receivers is gonna improve every week.”
The offense produced just 148 yards and did not score a touchdown. But the Bears still managed to come away with the win after falling behind 17-0 thanks to their special teams and defense, with Tyrique Stevenson returning an interception 43 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
“We know what we’re capable of and we know it’s not supposed to look how it looked yesterday,” running back D’Andre Swift said. “So we’ve got to get back to work.”
What’s working
Special teams. A fumbled kickoff return by Velus Jones Jr. aside, it was a good day for Chicago’s special teams. DeAndre Carter had a 67-yard kickoff return, and Cairo Santos kicked three field goals, including a 50-yarder.
The biggest play came in the third quarter, with the Bears trailing 17-3. Daniel Hardy blocked a punt, and Jonathan Owens recovered and returned it 21 yards for a score. Owens’ touchdown delighted his wife, star gymnast Simone Biles, who answered “I ALMOST HAD A HEART ATTACK” in response to a post on X asking how she felt.
What needs help
The offense. The Bears know 148 yards and zero touchdowns simply isn’t going to cut it. And it’s certainly not what they had in mind when they made all those moves in the offseason. The Bears also struggled to get their run game going with just 84 yards on 22 attempts.
Stock up
DE Darrell Taylor. One of the big questions coming into the season was whether another edge rusher would step up to complement Montez Sweat.
Taylor got off to a good start with two sacks less than three weeks after a trade from Seattle. His biggest play was when he strip-sacked Will Levis in the fourth quarter. T.J. Edwards recovered at the Tennessee 31, and the Bears settled for a field goal, cutting it to 17-16.
In three seasons with the Seahawks, Taylor had 21 1/2 sacks. The Bears finished 31st in that category despite getting a big lift from Sweat in a midseason trade with Washington.
Stock down
Jones. Ball security has been an issue for Jones since the Bears drafted him in 2022. And it cropped up again on his first attempt of the season, after Tennessee’s Tony Pollard ran for a touchdown in the closing minute of the opening quarter. Jones let the kickoff go through his hands and booted the ball about 20 yards forward. The Titans recovered at the Chicago 23 and the Bears were fortunate to hold them to a field goal.
Injuries
Odunze’s injury is obviously a concern coming out of the opener.
Key numbers
17 — Chicago had 17 points off turnovers.
Next steps
The Bears visit Houston on Sunday night in a game that matches Williams against C.J. Stroud, last season’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
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