LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — The Bears plan to hold nothing back against the Packers on Saturday, when the rivals will meet at Soldier Field in the wild-card round. And that could mean the Bears get two key players back.
The Bears are hopeful that receiver Rome Odunze and nickelback Kyler Gordon will return from injury to play Saturday. Both players need make it through the week of practice feeling healthy, but the indications were positive Wednesday.
Odunze has been recovering from a stress fracture in his foot. He hasn't played since Chicago's win at Philadelphia on Nov. 28. Odunze attempted to return for a game on Dec. 14 but reaggravated the injury in pregame warmups. Odunze returned to the practice field for the first time last Friday in a limited role. He was a limited participant again in practice Wednesday.
Odunze has 44 receptions for 611 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games this season. He has nine touchdowns in his two-year NFL career and is a key target for Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who expressed confidence that Odunze will be back.
“It’s going to be great,” Williams said Tuesday. “I’m excited to have him back. We were talking a few weeks ago when he went down before pregame, texted him after the game and said, ‘I got you, and we’ll get to the playoffs and we’ll handle business when you come back, but I need you back healthy and ready to go.’”
Gordon has endured an injury-plagued season. He has played in just three games, dealing with setbacks to his calf, hamstring and most recently his groin. That injury occurred during pregame warmups on Dec. 7 at Lambeau Field. He hasn't played in a game since Nov. 28.
On Tuesday, Gordon was designated for a return from injured reserve, which permitted him to practice with the Bears. He must be activated by Saturday in order to play. He was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is hopeful to have Gordon in his game plan.
"It gives us another playmaker,” Allen said. “Obviously, it’s been unfortunate that we haven’t had him much this season. But he was a guy coming into the season we were really excited about. I feel like he can help us make some plays and help us win."
The Bears are preparing to be without Gordon’s replacement, veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who remains in the concussion protocol.
Elsewhere on the Bears' injury report Wednesday, receiver DJ Moore (knee), offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (quad) and cornerback Jaylon Jones (ankle) were limited participants. Pass rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (concussion) and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (concussion) didn't practice.
The Bears and Packers will kick off at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday from Soldier Field.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.