According to league reports, the second-year target is expected to miss a little bit of time as the team navigates early preseason setbacks.
The Chicago Bears training camp encountered another hurdle on Saturday when second-year wide receiver Luther Burden exited practice early after sustaining a groin injury. The sequence unfolded during red zone one-on-one drills when Burden and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson collided awkwardly while defensive back Tyrique Stevenson broke up a pass from quarterback Caleb Williams. Stevenson slammed his lower back and hip onto the turf, lying in visible pain before eventually getting to his feet and fighting through the discomfort to finish practice. Burden, meanwhile, walked gingerly toward the weight room under his own power.
Timeline and Injury Status for the Chicago Bears Receiver
While initial concerns mounted following the awkward collision, subsequent reporting clarified the severity of the setback. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Burden suffered a groin injury and should miss a little bit of time. Rapoport characterized the situation as one to keep an eye on, though the specific timeline for a return has not been formally established by the organization.
For a soft-tissue injury occurring during the dog days of August, avoiding a long-term absence serves as a welcome relief for the coaching staff. Teammate Jahdae Walker expressed confidence in Burden’s resilience following the news. I’m not gonna lie, I don’t really see stuff like that,
Walker said. “But when I heard about it, I was like, ‘Wait, where’s Luther at?’ Because coach was like, ‘Go in at the Z,’ I’m like, ‘Wait, where’s Luther?’ And it was like, yo, and I’m like dang. But he’s gonna be fine. He’s a dawg, so he’s gonna be back soon.”
Impact on the Bears Offense and Depth Chart Options
The timing tests a Chicago offense already dealing with mounting health concerns across the roster. Entering the second year of Ben Johnson’s tenure with the Chicago Bears, the reigning NFC North champions, led by an ascending Caleb Williams, have high expectations to build on their success from a season ago. Following the offseason trade of DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, Burden is expected to anchor the receiver room alongside Rome Odunze as one of the top two wide receivers. During his rookie campaign in 2025 after being selected in the second round of the NFL draft, Burden caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable deep threat for Williams and featuring splash plays throughout the season with his best overall performance against the San Francisco 49ers near the end of last season.
The depth chart lists Jahdae Walker as Burden’s backup at the time of writing, after Walker was signed by Chicago as an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M in 2025. Walker’s own path to the roster included hard work in practice and being a good special teamer, punctuated by a memorable touchdown on fourth-and-goal against the Green Bay Packers last season to send the game into overtime and ultimately give Chicago the win.
Ben Johnson’s Assessment and Roster Health Concerns
Before the injury halted his momentum, Burden drew effusive praise from the coaching staff for his dedication and competitive drive. I've been around a few guys like this that they're just wired in a kind of way where – I don't know if it's at an early age, but they feel like this is their destiny,
Bears coach Ben Johnson said. “This is where they’re supposed to be, and I feel that from him. I think he knows how good he can be, and in his mind that’s probably top five, top three, top receiver in the NFL. I haven’t talked to him specifically about that, but the way he goes about his business tells me that.”
The setback arrives amid a wave of physical attrition at training camp. The Bears have already managed absences from headline offseason addition Coby Bryant who was lost for weeks to a knee injury, alongside lingering issues for starting defensive back Kyler Gordon who still hasn’t participated in practice, offensive lineman Braxton Jones, defensive lineman Montez Sweat, and secondary depth pieces including Elijah Hicks, Cam Lewis, Gervarrius Owens, and Dallis Flowers who have all suffered setbacks. Proactive management of Burden’s soft-tissue injury remains paramount as the team prepares for the remainder of the preseason schedule and looks toward expectations in the NFC North.
Keep reading
