Luther Burden III
Wide Receiver
Luther Burden III News
Luther Burden III "Moving Well," Trending Toward Week 1 Availability
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) is "moving well," the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs reported on Saturday. The 2025 second-round pick is "maybe not 100%, but he's running routes and getting in and out of his breaks," Biggs reported. Burden was injured in practice on Aug. 8 and only just returned to individual drills on Aug. 26. The Missouri product caught 47 receptions on 60 targets and had two touchdowns for Chicago in his rookie season in 2025. He is expected to have a larger role alongside Rome Odunze in his sophomore campaign since DJ Moore was traded to the Buffalo Bills in the offseason. Burden has breakout potential for 2026, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on his health since his status is not yet confirmed for Week 1. RotoBaller lists him at WR22, and he has a lot of upside if he starts the season healthy.
Aug 29, 2026 11:10 AM EST
Luther Burden III Gets Light Work in Return From Groin Injury
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) was back on the field Wednesday for the first time since getting injured on Aug. 8, according to Sean Hammond. Burden only took part in a short, light practice, so this wasn't a full return to action, but it's an encouraging step after more than two weeks on the sideline. The Bears previously expected him to miss the entire preseason while hoping to have him available for their Sept. 13 opener against Carolina. Burden remains listed as a starter on Chicago's latest unofficial depth chart after catching 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns across 15 games as a rookie. With DJ Moore traded to Buffalo during the offseason, Burden is positioned for a larger role alongside Rome Odunze in his second season. Wednesday's limited work is a positive sign, though he'll still need to progress beyond a light practice before his Week 1 status can be considered settled.
Aug 26, 2026 9:30 AM EST
Luther Burden III Looks "Mostly Fine"
The Chicago Bears were in Cincinnati on Thursday for a joint practice with the Bengals, and while second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) did not participate as he works his way back from the groin injury that has caused him to miss most of training camp, podcast hosts Adam Hoge and Adam Jahns expressed a lack of concern, saying that Burden looks "mostly fine." After a strong finish to his rookie season, Burden was the star of the opening days of training camp before getting tangled with a teammate and exiting practice on August 8. The hope has since been that he would be ready for the team's regular season opener against the Panthers on September 13. While the groin injury has caused an ADP dip in recent weeks, Burden is still RotoBaller's WR22, as all signs pre-injury pointed to the 22-year-old receiver becoming the focal point of a high-powered Bears offense.
Aug 21, 2026 5:12 AM EST
Luther Burden III Putting in Pre-Game Work
The Chicago Bears face the Cleveland Browns in a Saturday afternoon tilt to open their preseason slate, and while second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) will not take part as he recovers from the groin injury that has held him out of the last week of practices, he was spotted putting in some light work before the game. Without overexerting himself, Burden was seen jogging about 30 yards before slowing to a walk into the end zone. The 22-year-old is not expected to make any preseason appearances, but the team remains hopeful he will be available for the regular-season opener against the Panthers on September 13. Prior to the injury, Burden had generated significant training camp buzz and projects to be a focal point of the Bears' offense in 2026.
Aug 15, 2026 6:48 AM EST
Luther Burden III Hopeful to Play in Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) is hopeful to be ready for the beginning of the regular season, Courtney Cronin of ESPN reports. The second-year wideout suffered a groin injury during Saturday's practice. He's expected to miss all of the preseason games while recovering from this injury. The Bears don't have their season opener until Sept. 13, so Burden has plenty of time to recover and get in game shape. The 22-year-old is a potential breakout candidate with DJ Moore no longer in Chicago. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status closely over the next month.
Aug 11, 2026 5:23 PM EST
Luther Burden III Present at Monday Walkthrough
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) was present and walking around during Monday's walkthrough, according to Sean Hammond. Burden suffered the injury during Saturday's practice after landing awkwardly while attempting a contested catch and remains sidelined from football activity. The second-year receiver is expected to miss the preseason, though current reporting indicates that Chicago expects him to be ready for its Week 1 matchup against Carolina on September 13. Burden caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns across 15 games as a rookie and entered training camp preparing for an expanded role following the offseason trade of DJ Moore. His presence at Monday's walkthrough does not represent a return to practice, so the next meaningful development will be when Burden is able to resume on-field work.
Aug 10, 2026 9:23 AM EST
Luther Burden III Expected to Miss the Preseason, Could Still Play in Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) is expected to miss about a month, with the hope that he'll be available for the season opener against the Carolina Panthers on September 13, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. The second-year wideout had been one of the team's training camp standouts before exiting Saturday's practice with a groin injury after getting tangled with cornerback Tyrique Stevenson during one-on-one drills. After a strong finish to his rookie year, Burden has been tabbed as a breakout candidate and was one of the fastest risers throughout much of the offseason with a current ADP of WR20, but the injury is likely to cause uncertainty and could cause him to slip in upcoming drafts.
Aug 10, 2026 5:14 AM EST
Luther Burden III Expected to Miss Time With Groin Injury
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) is expected to miss some time after suffering the injury during Saturday's practice, according to Ian Rapoport. Burden left the field after landing awkwardly while attempting a contested catch and went inside with a trainer. The second-year receiver had been one of Chicago's standouts throughout camp after catching 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. His opportunity is considerably larger this season following the trade of DJ Moore, with Burden and Rome Odunze positioned to play major roles alongside Caleb Williams. Head coach Ben Johnson has also praised Burden's development throughout the offseason, particularly his explosiveness and expanding route tree. No firm timetable has been given, so the main concern now is how much valuable camp work Burden loses while preparing for that expanded role.
Aug 9, 2026 10:01 AM EST
Luther Burden III Exits Early With Apparent Lower-Body Injury
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (lower body) exited Saturday's training camp practice early with an apparent lower body injury, according to Courtney R. Cronin of ESPN. Burden sustained the injury when he collided with teammate defensive back Tyrique Stevenson while Stevenson broke up a pass from quarterback Caleb Williams. According to Cronin, Burden walked gingerly toward the weight room under his own power and did not return to practice. The 22-year-old appeared to have avoided a serious injury and is considered day-to-day for now. Burden is set for an expanded role in the Bears' high-octane offense with the departure of DJ Moore. He caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns over 15 games last season. Burden's fantasy stock is on the rise, and he was praised by the Bears' coaching staff for having an outstanding training camp this summer. The Bears will provide a further update soon, as fantasy managers should continue to monitor the situation.
Aug 8, 2026 1:09 PM EST
Luther Burden III Limps Off Field on Saturday
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (lower body) limped off the practice field on Saturday. Burden and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson were in a 1-on-1 drill when both players were injured. Burden, accompanied by a training staff member, limped to the locker room for further evaluation. The second-year receiver has been a terror at Bears' practices this summer, earning high praise from head coach Ben Johnson. Johnson stated that "it was his destiny to be one of the best wide receivers in the NFL" and compared him to Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown and former Dolphins and Browns receiver Jarvis Landry. Fantasy managers will hope Burden left today's practice with only a minor injury, but we'll have to wait for an update and hope for the best.
Aug 8, 2026 7:08 AM EST
Luther Burden III Slow to Get Up After Goal-Line Hit
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III was slow to get up after taking a hit from linebacker Devin Bush near the goal line late in Tuesday's practice, according to Brad Biggs. The contact came from behind on a fourth-down pass during a two-minute period, and Burden walked off the field slowly under his own power. No injury or follow-up evaluation has been reported, so his status should be treated as uncertain rather than assuming he avoided an issue. Burden caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie while adding 37 yards on six carries. He enters his second season as one of Chicago's key receiving options alongside Rome Odunze. The next update from the Bears, or Burden's participation in the next practice, should provide a better idea of whether the hit will cost him any time.
Aug 4, 2026 9:20 AM EST
Luther Burden III the "Clear Front-Runner to be WR1"
Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III had a few tough catches down the sideline during training camp practice on Monday and is the "clear front-runner to be the WR1" for the Bears this year, according to 247 Sports. The Burden "hype is real." Burden has been the most popular second-year breakout candidate in fantasy circles pretty much all offseason after he came on strong late last year for the Bears. It's a no-brainer because Chicago traded away veteran receiver DJ Moore in the offseason, giving Burden a clear path to more targets and a sizeable role in the passing game in an ascending Bears offense under head coach Ben Johnson. The 22-year-old former second-rounder from the University of Missouri caught 47 of his 60 targets for 652 yards and two touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (five starts) in 2025 as a rookie and has done nothing but draw praise from the coaching staff all offseason. The hype has gotten out, so don't expect Burden to come cheap as a WR2 with upside in upcoming fantasy football drafts. RotoBaller has Burden ranked as the No. 21 fantasy WR for 2026.
Aug 3, 2026 9:10 AM EST
Ben Johnson Compares Luther Burden III to St. Brown
Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III has been one of the most dramatic risers throughout the 2026 draft season, and the recent comparison made by his head coach Ben Johnson will do nothing to slow the momentum. In an interview with Cassie Carlson of Fox 32, Johnson compared Burden's mindset to those of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jarvis Landry, two receivers he spent time with in Detroit and Miami. Johnson had remarked earlier in the offseason that Burden is destined to become one of the top receivers in the NFL, and when asked to expand, the second-year head coach linked him to two players with nine Pro Bowl selections between them, saying, "He's got that competitive edge and desire to be great. It's carried over into the spring and summer as well. He's been a regular in the building, working with our strength staff. He wants to be the most conditioned player on the team. Wants to be one of the strongest receivers on the team and just continues to soak in all the knowledge." Burden is RotoBaller's WR21, but he has the clear belief of his coach and a ceiling to emerge as a fantasy WR1 in his second season.
Aug 3, 2026 5:41 AM EST
Luther Burden III Poised to Take a Year Two Jump
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III has been heavily involved in all aspects of the team's passing offense through the early days of training camp, and offensive coordinator Press Taylor spoke to reporters on Thursday about the growth of the dynamic second-year player. "You saw in the spring, he was one of those guys where you really saw the skill set flourish. Now he's not thinking quite as much. He's able to just go out, react, play." Since the Bears traded veteran receiver DJ Moore to the Bills in March, offseason narratives have focused on how targets will be divvied up between a young group of pass catchers featuring Burden, Rome Odunze, and tight end Colston Loveland. Now, through the first practices of camp, Burden's involvement has stood out, and a big second season could be on the way for RotoBaller's WR21.
Jul 31, 2026 5:25 AM EST
Luther Burden III Peppered with Targets During Day 1 of Training Camp
On a per-route basis, Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III was one of the league's most efficient players as a rookie in 2025, and reports from Day 1 of training camp indicate he's picked up right where he left off, though now seeing heavy volume. Burden was moved across the formation and reportedly looked crisp in his route running while drawing target after target. In trading away veteran DJ Moore, the Bears created a vacuum most likely to be filled by Burden and third-year receiver Rome Odunze, and although a single, non-padded practice in July will not define Chicago's pass-catching hierarchy for the 2026 season, Burden looks to have earned an early edge. The competition for first-read looks from quarterback Caleb Williams will be one to monitor throughout the summer, but Burden is currently RotoBaller's WR21, a full 12 positional spots ahead of Odunze.
Jul 30, 2026 5:25 AM EST
Luther Burden III Receiving Praise From his Quarterback
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams praised second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III on the Up & Adams Show on Monday, saying that "he makes the first guy miss every time." Williams also said that Burden "catches everything" and is a "friendly receiver." The 22-year-old former second-rounder (39th overall) last year out of the University of Missouri started slow in his rookie campaign but became more involved in head coach Ben Johnson's offense down the stretch, ultimately finishing with 47 receptions on 60 targets for 652 yards and two touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (five starts). Burden is one of the most popular Year 2 breakout receivers in fantasy football going into the 2026 season, especially since DJ Moore was traded to the Buffalo Bills in the offseason. Johnson has also been praising Burden for his offseason work, saying that he's "buying Burden stock right now" and that he's been "really happy with him." Burden will cost a pretty penny in fantasy drafts because of all the second-year hype, but he might be worth every penny in an ascending Bears offense. RotoBaller has Burden ranked as the No. 21 overall fantasy WR for 2026.
Jul 27, 2026 9:32 AM EST
Luther Burden III Has WR2 Breakout Appeal
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III did not need long to show what could happen once the offense gave him more room. After a quiet start to his rookie season, Burden averaged 4.3 catches and 60.1 receiving yards over his final eight games. He finished with 47 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns on 60 targets, including an eight-catch, 138-yard performance late in the year. The efficiency was harder to ignore. Burden averaged 2.7 yards per route run, third among NFL receivers, and ranked fourth at the position with 7.4 yards after the catch per reception. DJ Moore is gone, and Chicago now views Burden and Rome Odunze as trusted targets for Caleb Williams. Colston Loveland remains a major part of the passing game, but Burden's role should grow after Ben Johnson praised his offseason, explosiveness, and expanding route tree. RotoBaller ranks him WR21 in PPR leagues. The second-year receiver already showed he can make a lot happen on limited volume. More routes and targets give him a legitimate chance to break out as a weekly WR2.
Jul 26, 2026 10:32 AM EST
Luther Burden III has Clear Breakout Potential in Year 2
Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III is one of the most clear breakout candidates at his position in 2026, according to Dan Wiederer of The Athletic. "I'm buying Luther Burden stock right now," head coach Ben Johnson said back in May. Johnson called Burden's growth this offseason "electric." The 22-year-old former second-rounder (39th overall) out of the University of Missouri took off in the second half as a rookie, posting 40 catches, 547 yards and a touchdown in his final 10 games, including the postseason. Burden is carrying increased confidence, heightened trust from Johnson, and improved chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams. "He's the truth, man. And nothing but the truth," tight end Colston Loveland said. Burden had a total line of 47 catches, 652 yards and two touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (five starts) as a rookie, but with DJ Moore now in Buffalo, Burden could easily become Chicago's WR1 over Rome Odunze in 2026. Fantasy managers should be looking to draft Burden as a strong WR2 this year with upside for more in a Bears offense that's looking to take the next step in Johnson's second season running the show.
Jul 14, 2026 10:17 AM EST
Luther Burden III Remains a Dynasty Buy Candidate Amidst Growing Hype
A second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III recorded 47 catches for 652 yards and two touchdowns on 60 targets across 15 games (five starts). The 22-year-old's production took off down the stretch of the season, as he averaged five catches for 71 yards on six targets over his final five games played. Entering 2026, Burden III should see an even larger role in the Bears' passing game following the team's offseason trade of wideout DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. Burden III also drew rave reviews from onlookers during OTAs, while fellow Bears wideout Rome Odunze (foot) expressed that the foot issues that plagued him in 2025 may linger into 2026 and beyond. Although Burden III's dynasty stock is rising, dynasty managers may still have a chance to buy in on him before a potential superstar breakout in 2026.
Jun 28, 2026 11:36 AM EST
Luther Burden III Looking Like a True WR1 in OTAs With Bears
Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III appears to be the one ready to step up after Chicago traded DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills this offseason. According to former NFL tight end Clay Harbor, Burden is "doing everything you'd think a No. 1 receiver would do" during OTAs this offseason. The 22-year-old former second-rounder (39th overall) out of the University of Missouri looks bigger and faster and is playing both inside and outside in head coach Ben Johnson's offense. Johnson even said himself last week that he's "buying Burden stock right now." He finished his rookie year as a real weapon in Chicago's offense, catching 47 of his 60 targets for 652 yards and two touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (five starts). Former first-rounder Rome Odunze remains in town, but he may never be the same after heel issues that could continue to be a concern for him. Burden looks like the real deal and is quickly becoming one of the top breakout candidates at the receiver position in 2026. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 19 fantasy WR for the 2026 season.
Jun 4, 2026 5:33 PM EST
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