Bears monitor Odunze and Swift after early practice exits

What happened

The Chicago Bears have two new fitness concerns after wide receiver Rome Odunze and running back D’Andre Swift both exited Thursday’s practice early. Source 1Source 2Source 3

Odunze left during an early install period after appearing to hurt his right leg. Source 2Source 5

Swift departed later, during team drills near the end of the session, and appeared to be in notable discomfort as he came off the field. Source 4Source 5

The practice, held at the Walter Payton Center, included a simulated half-time break. Source 2

The diagnosis

There had been no official team statement or detailed injury update on either Odunze or Swift by Thursday evening. Source 3

Odunze’s apparent problem involved his right leg and was separate from the left-foot stress fracture he sustained in the previous season. Source 2Source 5

One preliminary report indicated that Odunze was expected to recover without major issues after leaving the session, but no formal diagnosis or timetable was reported. Source 4Source 3

Swift’s precise diagnosis and expected availability were likewise not established in the available updates. Source 3Source 4

Sporting impact

The timing is significant because Chicago are due to open the regular season away to the Carolina Panthers on 13 September, with kick-off listed for 18:00 BST, before hosting Minnesota in Week 2. Source 6

Odunze recorded 44 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, including 13 catches of more than 20 yards. Source 7

Swift rushed for 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns last season while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Source 7

The backfield picture would be further tested if Swift misses time, as backup Kyle Monangai is already sidelined with a knee injury and listed week to week. Source 2

Swift and Monangai combined for 1,870 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns in 2025. Source 7

Chicago also have an injury concern around wide receiver Luther Burden, although defensive end Austin Booker has recently returned to full practice participation after a groin absence. Source 2Source 4

Notes

Reports do not fully agree on the location of Swift’s issue: the Chicago Sun-Times described an apparent left-leg injury, while other early reporting pointed to discomfort in his midsection or core area. Source 2Source 4

Odunze’s right-leg concern is more consistently described, but the severity remains unclear without a team update. Source 2Source 3Source 5

Head coach Ben Johnson is not scheduled to speak to the media until the following week, leaving the Bears’ next formal clarity on both players unresolved. Source 3