Chicago Bears DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) practiced in full for the second straight day this week and is on his way towards clearing the league's concussion protocol and returning to action this Sunday in Week 16 against the division-rival Detroit Lions. Johnson has missed the team's last two games due to a concussion but is trending in the right direction to return this weekend. He still needs final clearance from an independent neurologist later this week, though, to get the final green light to play. Even if Johnson is active against the Lions on Sunday, he won't have any real standalone fantasy value with a lot on the line in leagues this weekend. He's been the clear backup behind D'Andre Swift on game days and hasn't been a reliable producer, although he has chipped in six rushing touchdowns. Perhaps if Chicago's offense was more reliable.

Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) was listed as a full participant for the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday. Despite the estimated practice participation, it appears that Johnson has made notable progress through the league's concussion protocol and will have a chance to play in Week 16 against the division-rival Detroit Lions on Sunday after missing each of the last two games due to a concussion that he suffered in the Week 13 loss to the Lions. If the 23-year-old clears the concussion protocol later this week and is active this weekend, he won't be a realistic starting option in fantasy football as the clear backup behind D'Andre Swift in Chicago's lackluster offense. In his second NFL season in 2024, Johnson has seen just 48 rushing attempts for 139 yards (2.9 yards per carry) and has added 11 receptions for 88 yards in 11 games.

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet once again was an afterthought in the team's lackluster offense in the Monday night loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, catching his only target for a pickup of 14 yards. Kmet was on the field plenty -- he played 93 percent of the offensive snaps on the evening -- but rookie quarterback Caleb Williams continued to rely mostly on his three receivers in Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and rookie Rome Odunze. In the last three games, Kmet has just four receptions on four targets (he didn't have a target in Week 14 against the San Francisco 49ers) for 40 yards and no touchdowns. He hasn't scored a touchdown since a two-TD performance in Week 6 and has 16 receptions for 159 yards and no TDs in six games since the team's bye. Fantasy managers still alive in the playoffs should look for a better TE option in Week 16 when Chicago faces the division-rival Detroit Lions.

Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer had very minimal involvement on offense in the team's 30-12 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football in Week 15. Homer had an increased role again with Roschon Johnson still out with a concussion, but it didn't amount to much in a Bears offense that once again was unable to move the football with much consistency. As the backup to D'Andre Swift, Homer had only three carries and gained seven yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. Homer played 25 percent of the offensive snaps on Monday, compared to a 69 percent snap share for Swift. Even if Johnson remains out for Week 16 versus the division-rival Detroit Lions, fantasy managers shouldn't have Homer anywhere near a starting lineup, let alone even on a roster in the fantasy playoffs. The 26-year-old has six carries for 23 yards in 10 games in 2024.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze caught 2-of-7 targets for 39 yards in his team's 30-12 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. The rookie again saw a decent amount of work but continues to play third fiddle in Chicago's air attack behind veteran wideouts Keenan Allen and DJ Moore. On the bright side, Odunze recorded at least six targets for the seventh time in eight games. However, he's averaging just 3.75 receptions and 47.25 yards in that frame. Better days are ahead for the 22-year-old, and his future appears bright as long as long as quarterback Caleb Williams continues to develop at the pro level. For now, though, he'll be tough to trust as a viable option in Week 16 despite squaring off against a depleted Detroit Lions defense.