Chicago Bears: Biggest winners and losers from training camp
Loser #1: TE Trey Burton
One of the only positions where talent is a concern for the Bears this season is the tight end. At the top of the depth chart sits Trey Burton, a former Eagle who signed a four-year deal with the Bears after the 2017 season.
Burton was a favorite target of Trubisky last season, but a mysterious injury caused him to miss the team’s playoff game. It was the only game of the season Burton missed, and his absence somewhat stalled the passing game.
Burton is a huge factor in the team’s offense. Check out fellow DWC contributor Patrick Sheldon’s piece on Burton and how he’s truly the only “U” tight end on the Bears’ roster. This position is essential in offenses like Nagy’s and that of his mentor Andy Reid.
Bears tight end Trey Burton eased back into action Saturday, adding that the recent practices he missed were not a setback in his recovery from sports hernia surgery.
— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) August 10, 2019
"It’s tough because I’m not that type of guy that wants to sit out." https://t.co/4qv52nXphg via @ChiTribKane pic.twitter.com/k3mkXL3WJd
Burton’s injury was first noted to be a groin injury, but the team later revealed that Burton had a sports hernia that required surgery. While the exact date of the surgery is unknown, it’s likely been about four to five months since the surgery was completed.
It shouldn’t take nearly that long to recover from this type of surgery, but Burton missed the first week of the team’s practices in Bourbonnais. Although he returned to practice on Saturday, he sat out during team drills.
The Bears are thin at tight end with injury-prone youngster Adam Shaheen behind Burton on the depth chart. Shaheen is currently fighting through a back injury and hasn’t looked great in camp.
This is a dilemma the Bears will need to address if Burton isn’t healthy by week one. Nagy says that’s all they’re focused on, but this is still a situation to watch.