Nov 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) makes a catch against New York Giants safety Jevon Holland (8) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are playing a monumental game in both their rivalry and the context of the NFC standings on Sunday. The winner could maintain a top-two seed in the conference. The loser is in a Wild Card spot. Unfortunately for the Bears, they will be without one of their best offensive playmakers in Green Bay.

Second-year receiver Rome Odunze has been ruled out with a foot injury. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Odunze is actually dealing with a stress fracture in said foot, but it isn't considered serious or a long-term concern. So, he could theoretically return to Chicago's lineup next week depending on how he feels. Still, for now, the Bears would like to give him some rest before the rest of the stretch run of their 2025 regular season schedule.

Odunze's absence will be a big blow to Chicago in its biggest game of the 2020s to this point:

If there is a silver lining for the Bears, they haven't exactly been winning on the strength of their passing game. Chicago has the NFL's No. 1 rushing attack and will undoubtedly try to continue flexing that strength to steal a road win against its biggest rival. We'll see how the Bears fare in Green Bay without Odunze.

Who is Rome Odunze's backup on the Bears?

There is no exact "backup" for Odunze. Rookie receiver Luther Burden is expected to step up and get more repetitions in Odunze's absence. Also, expect veteran Olamide Zacchaeus to have a bigger role.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Rome Odunze injury update for Bears on Sunday

Reporting by Robert Zeglinski, For The Win / For The Win

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect