Breaking down the Bears’ Friday practice at Halas Hall:

Odunze improving

Wide receiver Rome Odunze is questionable for the Panthers game, but has been improving since hurting his calf last week. He was back on the practice field Friday, and coach Ben Johnson liked his progress, saying before practice, “ He’s looked good from my perspective, but we’ve also got a long season and we want to do what’s right for the long term as well.”

Bagent out of practice

Johnson was very tightlipped, however, about backup quarterback Tyson Bagent. He apparently hurt his back in practice Tuesday and has been out since. Still, the Bears maintained some mystery by listing him as questionable on the injury report. Without him, they would go with 38-year-old journeyman Case Keenum as the backup to Caleb Williams. Keenum last played in 2023, when he started twice for the Texans and compiled a 61.1 passer rating with one touchdown pass and three interceptions.

Woods returns

Starting safety Xavier Woods was back on the field Friday missing part of practice Thursday with a groin injury.

Trapilo available?

It's unlikely the Bears will play left tackle Ozzy Trapilo this early as he recovers from a major knee injury, but they listed him as questionable for the game. Braxton Jones will start.

Play the hits

There’d been quite a bit of North Carolina-themed music at practice this week, but Friday the Bears stretched to Drake’s “Ran to Atlanta.” That song has a refrain that repeats, “Iceman turnt,” which might have made the practice playlist as a nod to Williams.

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