LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears receiver Rome Odunze is set to return for Chicago's showdown against Green Bay on Saturday in the wild-card round, while cornerback Kyler Gordon is questionable to play.
Odunze doesn't carry an injury designation for Saturday as he 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 and was a full participant in practice Thursday.
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 recently expressed excitement 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 was a full participant in practice Thursday, and the Bears have expressed optimism that he can play Saturday.
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. On Tuesday, the Bears designated him for a return from injured reserve.
In other injury news, the Bears on Thursday ruled out defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson (concussion), edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (concussion) and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (concussion) for Saturday. Offensive tackle Braxton Jones (knee) was listed as questionable to play after recently returning to practice.
The Bears (11-6) and Packers (9-7-1) 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.