2 former UW Huskies poised to return for Bears’ playoff opener

The Chicago Bears could be getting former UW Huskies stars Rome Odunze and Kyler Gordon back from injury for their wild-card playoff game against the Packers.

BY ANDREW SELIGMAN

Jan 8, 2026, 2:12 PM

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Former UW Huskies Chicago Bears Rome Odunze warmup 2025...

Former UW Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze warms up prior to a Chicago Bears game in 2025. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

(Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears could be getting a pair of former UW Huskies back as reinforcements for their wild-card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, with wide receiver Rome Odunze and cornerback Kyler Gordon likely returning from injuries.

Odunze, who was a first-team All-American on UW’s 2023 national runner-up team, said Wednesday that he expects to play after missing the final five regular-season games because of a foot problem.

The Bears are also planning to have Gordon available for the first time since Week 13. Gordon, a 2021 first-team All-Pac-12 selection at UW and an alum of Everett’s Archbishop Murphy High School, has been sidelined because of a groin issue.

Both players were limited on Wednesday, when the team held its first practice of the week after conducting a walkthrough the previous day.

Chicago (11-6) hosts Green Bay (9-7-1) in a wild-card game on Saturday night after winning the NFC North for the first time since 2018.

“I’m planning on playing,” Odunze said. “But I’ve been planning on playing for weeks.”

Odunze’s foot has been bothering him since October. The Bears tried to manage it by having him sit out at least one practice per week before shutting him down following the victory at Philadelphia on Nov. 28. He acknowledged his stamina isn’t all the way back but insisted he can help against Green Bay.

“I can definitely provide an asset to this offense,” he said. “It’s tough being out for five weeks and having to be on the sideline and have all that happen and go through that, the ups and downs of the season and not being able to contribute. As long as I have the option to be out there and contribute, I’m going to give it my all. I believe I can make a difference.”

The No. 9 draft pick last year, Odunze was leading the team in receptions (44), yards receiving (661) and touchdown catches (six) at the time he was shut down. He is now fourth in catches, third in yards and tied for the lead in TD receptions.

“You don’t want to be giving him way too much, and yet he’s a guy that can help us,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said. “We’ll be evaluating that over the next three days of practice as we finalize this plan and put that stuff together. Any time that he can be a part of it, you certainly want to be able to use him and maximize the time that he’s out in the field and get him the ball. Really, it’s the same with all of our players. We always have plays for each guy specifically. We’re excited to have him back.”

Gordon, meanwhile, has been limited to three games because of hamstring and groin injuries after signing a three-year, $40 million extension in April. A second-round draft pick in 2022, he has five career interceptions.

“It gives us another playmaker,” defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said. “Obviously, it’s been unfortunate we haven’t had him much this season, but he was a guy that, coming into the season, we were really excited about, and I feel like he can help us make some plays and help us win.”

Gordon missed the first four games because of the hamstring and five more because of the groin before returning for Chicago’s win at Philadelphia in Week 13. He hasn’t played since then. And with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson exiting the Detroit game because a concussion, the team could use Gordon.

“I think our plan is to have him be a part of (the game plan),” Allen said before practice. “Today will really be the first day that we get out there and go practice, get a chance to see him move around. But I’m excited about getting him back in the fold and seeing what he can do.”

Seattle Sports staff made additions to this post.