Chicago Bears fans were excited to hear reports regarding how their rookie class performed throughout this past weekend's rookie minicamp. The Bears held two practices, the final of which occurred on Saturday. It turned out that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was without No. 9 overall pick Rome Odunze. Odunze missed the practice due to hamstring tightness.
While it's unfortunate that Odunze couldn't participate in the second and final practice, there's no legitimate reason for Bears fans to be concerned. At least, not yet.
Rome Odunze won't practice today at rookie minicamp due to hamstring tightness.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) May 11, 2024
Odunze made his Bears debut during Friday's rookie minicamp practice. He was a popular target for Caleb Williams and the assumption is he tightened up because of all the work he had. The Bears' coaching staff made the correct decision to hold him out of Saturday's practice for precautionary reasons.
Bears fans may immediately recall the nightmare that was former first-rounder receiver Kevin White. White was consistently hurt throughout his first offseason in Chicago. It was a blinking red light warning flag. But there's absolutely no reason to draw parallels between White and Odunze.
White suffered a serious shin injury that required surgery. Odunze is simply suffering from hamstring tightness. Players need to to reacclimate to playing shape after months of prepping for the NFL Combine and pro days.
It's fair to assume Rome Odunze's hamstring injury is nothing more than him shaking the rust off.
Odunze was drafted ninth overall to form a lethal trio of receivers alongside Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore. Selecting Odunze further invested in Williams' development as a franchise quarterback. That outlook isn't altered by Odunze simply missing one rookie minicamp practice.
It would have been awesome to watch Williams and Odunze throughout a second rookie minicamp practice, but exercising caution is much more important. Williams and a healthy Odunze will reunite for organized team activities and other off-season workouts ahead of training camp.