The Dallas Cowboys are leaving the NFC East behind at the moment, but staying in the conference for their Week 3 matchup. They travel to the Windy City to take on the 0-2 Chicago Bears, a fellow NFL team working with a first-time head coach. Ben Johnson and Brian Schottenheimer most recently matched wits as the offensive coodinators for the Cowboys and Detroit Lions last season, an absolute drubbing in Week 6, 47-9.
Now both are responsible for all aspects of their respective organizations. Outside of the stark difference in accomplishments of their respective quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Caleb Williams, each team has a similar profile on offense. Work in progress offensive lines, reclamation projects at running back and a stable of top-tier wideouts.
For the Bears, their lead man Rome Odunze is turning heads in just his second season. All of his metrics have skyrocketed as he’s matured and gotten a competent play caller, with his catch rate already up 12% from last year, his success rate up 10% and already matching last year’s TD total of three in just two contests. Without him, the Bears offense might fall apart, so will he be in play for Week 3?
Fantasy owners can breath a sigh of relief as, although the Bears have ruled out five players for the late afternoon contest, Odunze isn’t one of them. He carries no injury designation into the contest. In fact, the injury report helps even further as Dallas’ top corner DaRon Bland has already been ruled out due to a foot injury.
With Trevon Diggs having to work his way back into game shape after being out from last November right up until the regular season opener, the Cowboys don’t seem to have a coherent plan at being able to stop opposing passing games.
Odunze could be in line for a field day against the Dallas secondary after watching fellow second-year player Malik Nabers catch nine passes for 167 yards and two scores just last week.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Is Bears WR Rome Odunze playing today? Fantasy and injury update for Cowboys Week 3 game
Reporting by K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
