New year, same issue. Chicago Bears WR Luther Burden III missed some time at training camp as a rookie, and he had plenty of catching up to do. He still finished the season strong, but that's beyond the point.
Now, the second-year pro will miss all of the preseason and some crucial reps in training camp. He suffered a groin injury that may have put his status for the season opener in jeopardy, though that may not be the case after all.
Addressing the media, head coach Ben Johnson shut down all concerns about the former second-round pick's availability. While he's still expected to be sidelined through training camp, he's fully expected to take the field on Sep. 13.
Luther Burden III might be back on the field for Week 1
“Ben Johnson said the hope is that WR Luther Burden (groin) is back for the start of the regular season,” Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune shared on X.
Last offseason, Johnson didn't hide his frustration for not being able to work with Burden early on in training camp. He brought him up slowly in the regular season before finally unleashing him in the final stretch of the year.
Burden showed the big-play ability that made him one of the most intriguing players in the class of 2025. His final stat line (47 receptions on 60 targets for 652 yards and two touchdowns) might not be that impressive at first glance, but he only started 5 games and missed two.
He entered training camp as a strong candidate to claim Rome Odunze's spot as the No. 1 guy in the pecking order. With DJ Moore gone, he looked poised for a breakout season and picking things up where he left them off last season.
Of course, that can still be the case, but they'll likely ramp him up slowly to start the season. Soft-tissue injuries tend to linger, and there are already more than enough injury concerns with Odunze's foot.
Also, the Bears have plenty of weapons to get by, even if he has to miss time. Colston Loveland might be the team's leader in receiving touchdowns, Odunze is always a threat, and rookie Zavion Thomas has also turned some heads. They even have the speedy Kalif Raymond as a potential big-play specialist in his absence, not to mention a strong running game.
Burden's career is just getting started, and the Bears must look at the big picture and only get him back on the field when he's 100 percent healthy. If that happens to be the case when they hit the road to face the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, even better.
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