Bears' first Week 1 injury report reveals new detail about Rome Odunze's injury

Chicago did not practice Wednesday, so the report reflects estimated participation levels based on what each player would have done if the Bears had practiced.

Only three players appeared on the initial report:

• QB Tyson Bagent — back — DNP

• WR Rome Odunze — calf — limited

• OL Ozzy Trapilo — knee — limited

The biggest development is Odunze being listed as limited with a calf injury, which provides additional clarity after Ben Johnson described the receiver as day-to-day earlier this week.

Rome Odunze's status will be Bears' biggest injury storyline

Odunze's presence on the report isn't particularly surprising after he left practice last week and sat out Tuesday. Johnson previously confirmed that Odunze's current injury is different from the foot issue he dealt with during the 2025 season. Now, the Bears have officially identified the new injury as a calf issue.

Because Wednesday's participation was estimated, it would be premature to interpret "limited" as evidence that Odunze has taken a significant step toward playing Sunday. Thursday's actual practice should provide a much better indication of where he stands.

Odunze is entering an important third season after catching 44 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns in 12 regular-season games last year.

His availability would give Caleb Williams the Bears' expected receiving trio of Odunze, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland for the opener.

Tyson Bagent is the only estimated DNP

Bagent's back injury is another situation worth monitoring.

The Bears estimated that their backup quarterback would not have practiced Wednesday. Case Keenum gives the Bears an experienced option behind Williams if Bagent's back issue lingers.

Trapilo, meanwhile, was listed as limited because of a knee injury.

Braxton Jones has already been named Chicago's starting left tackle for Week 1, but Johnson emphasized that the Bears will continue evaluating the position. Trapilo is listed behind Jones on Chicago's depth chart.

For now, the most encouraging part of the first report might simply be its length. Chicago listed only three injured players, and two were estimated as limited participants.

That said, the real injury updates begin arriving Thursday. That's when we'll get the Bears' first actual participation report of Week 1 — and potentially a much better indication of whether Odunze is trending toward playing against Carolina.