Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III showed explosiveness in Week 12, totaling 61 yards on four total touches in the 31-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Burden has emerged in recent weeks, playing more snaps than Olamide Zaccheaus in the last two weeks. While the second round selection has showcased his untapped potential in 2025, he still sits behind Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, and tight end Colston Loveland in the line for targets. Not only is his target competition stiff, but the Bears have been one of the most run-heavy teams in the NFL, ranking fifth in the NFL in rush attempts this season. The Bears face the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13, who have struggled more this season than expected. Burden remains a bench stash for now, as his fantasy value hopes to grow later in the season.
Nov 27, 2025 7:57 AM EST
Across the first 10 games of his NFL career, Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III has recorded just 22 receptions for 295 yards and one touchdown on 28 targets. However, Burden III has been playing some of his best football in recent weeks. Over his last three outings, the 21-year-old has hauled in nine catches for 124 yards on 13 targets. Perhaps most importantly, Burden III could be overtaking Bears veteran Olamide Zaccheaus for the WR3 role in Chicago alongside Rome Odunze and DJ Moore. Over the last two weeks, Burden III has earned 66 offensive snaps compared to just 33 for Zaccheaus. The presence of Odunze and Moore caps Burden III's upside. Still, the rookie has flashed big-play ability and appears to be carving out a more stable playing time floor. Burden III should be a waiver-wire target in fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams heading into a Week 13 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nov 24, 2025 10:19 PM EST
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III has officially supplanted Olamide Zaccheaus as the WR3 in this Bears' offense. Over the past two games, Burden has played more snaps than Zaccheaus and has caught six passes for 78 yards in those games. Despite the Bears' running more two-TE sets in Week 11, Burden managed to play his second-most snaps of the season (44%), while Zaccheaus played his lowest (14%). Burden also faces a great matchup in Week 12, as the Steelers' defense has allowed the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season. This week could be the one that fantasy managers view as the "Luther Burden Breakout Game", but without a configured role in this Bears' offense, he's labeled as a high-upside WR5 in Week 12.
Nov 22, 2025 9:54 AM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III has earned a bigger role on offense going forward, according to head coach Ben Johnson. "You get what you earn. And I think he's earned the increased snaps," Johnson said. Burden only played 44% of the offensive snaps in the Week 11 win over the Minnesota Vikings, but it was only the second time all year he has played over 40% of the snaps, and they have come in back-to-back weeks. The 21-year-old pass-catcher caught three of his five targets against Minnesota for 27 yards. The second-rounder out of Missouri has six grabs on eight targets the last two weeks for 78 yards. Burden has been inconsistent in his first year in the NFL in an offense with plenty of mouths to feed, but it sounds as though he'll have a chance to jump DJ Moore for the WR2 in Chicago before the year is over. Fantasy managers looking for WR depth could do worse than Burden. He's rostered in only 9% of Yahoo leagues.
Nov 19, 2025 5:44 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III has been wildly inconsistent in his first year in the league in an offense with weapons galore for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. The 21-year-old second-round selection out of Missouri only has three games with over 50 receiving yards, has scored just one time (back on Sept. 21), and has three games with negative yardage. Burden has been extremely hard to trust as a flex option in fantasy leagues as a result, but he might be worth stashing on your bench as we approach the final stretch of the 2025 season. In the last two games, Burden has played over 40% of the offensive snaps for the first time all year, leading to six receptions on eight targets for 78 yards. In the Week 11 win over the Vikings, he caught three passes for only 27 yards, but his five targets were a season high and tied for second on the team. At only 8% rostered in Yahoo leagues, fantasy managers may want to take a peek at the talented young wideout with upside in an improving offense.
Nov 17, 2025 11:31 PM EST
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is starting to ascend as the fantasy playoffs near. Last week, Burden hauled in all three targets for 51 yards, outperforming both D.J. Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus. Something to look into, Burden played 52% of the snaps in Week 10, which was by far his largest snap share of the season. Moore and Zaccheaus saw their snap count dip in Week 10, and if Burden can continue to produce, his role will grow even further. He faces a tough Vikings secondary, which has allowed the eighth fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025. Burden is on the brink of breaking out, but a tough matchup on the slate could hurt his fantasy value in Week 11.
Nov 15, 2025 12:54 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III is in line for more opportunities moving forward after a strong performance in Week 10 against the Giants and positive coachspeak from head coach Ben Johnson after the game. Johnson spoke glowingly of Chicago's rookie second-rounder, saying that "he's the guy that's starting to get more targets" and adding that the trust level between Burden and quarterback Caleb Williams "continues to ascend." The 21-year-old is certainly deserving of more work with how efficient and dynamic he's been with his limited looks. Out of 115 wide receivers with at least 15 targets this season, Burden's 12.3 yards per target ranks fourth highest, per Fantasy Points Data Suite. Burden's stock is trending up, and he's a strong hold in 12-team leagues.
Nov 13, 2025 12:31 AM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III has been a playmaker in his limited opportunity this season, catching 16 of his 18 targets for 222 yards and a touchdown to go with two rushes for six yards in eight games this season. Burden is seeing his reps increase as the season progresses and posted season highs in both snaps and routes in Chicago's Week 10 win over the New York Giants. The rookie second-rounder played 57.6% of the snaps, his first game with a snap share above 50%, and ran 46.3% of the team's routes. Head coach Ben Johnson said that Burden will see more targets moving forward as he continues to get more comfortable in the offense. The rookie out of Missouri had an exciting prospect profile with elite athletic traits and is worth adding off the waiver wire in 12-team leagues to see how his role expands.
Nov 11, 2025 1:30 PM EST
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III hasn't seen a ton of success during the first half of his rookie season. In Week 10, Burden hauled in all three of his targets for 51 yards in the win over the New York Giants. That outing was actually one of Burden's better games this season. Afterwards, head coach Ben Johnson hinted that Burden is going to see more targets going forward. He continued by saying Burden is getting more comfortable with both the coaching staff and his teammates each week. The Bears do have a lot of mouths to feed on offense, so it's not shocking to see Burden having a limited role. It seems like the Bears plan to get Burden more involved, but fantasy managers should wait and see what happens. The 21-year-old is certainly worth stashing, but isn't anything more than a flex option for Week 11.
Nov 10, 2025 9:07 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (concussion) has been cleared from the injury report and will play in Week 10 against the New York Giants, per Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. Burden was inactive for Chicago's Week 9 win over the Bengals after suffering a concussion in Week 8 against the Ravens, but he will end up only missing one game. The rookie was removed from this week's injury report along with top wideouts D.J. Moore (groin, hip) and Rome Odunze (ankle, heel), which will make it tough to see consistent playing time. The 21-year-old has flashed in his limited opportunities this season, catching 13 of his 15 targets for 171 yards and a touchdown in seven games. Burden is an intriguing upside bet to have stashed on benches, but shouldn't be in most lineups for Week 10.
Nov 7, 2025 4:17 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (concussion) was a full participant in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, according to The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain. Burden was unable to play in last week's win over the Cincinnati Bengals due to a concussion he suffered the week prior, but with two full practices under his belt this week, it should only be a matter of time before he's cleared to return in Week 10 against the visiting New York Giants. Fellow wideouts DJ Moore (groin, hip) and Rome Odunze (ankle, heel) have been nursing injuries as well, but they shouldn't be in danger of missing this weekend's game. The 21-year-old Burden, a second-round pick in April, has shown glimpses of being a star, but he just hasn't had enough playing time to be a realistic starting fantasy option. He had a 100-yard game back on Sept. 21 and also found the end zone, but Burden has only cleared 50 yards one other time and doesn't have more than four catches or four targets in a game in 2025.
Nov 6, 2025 3:42 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (concussion) was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Burden missed Chicago's Week 9 matchup in Cincinnati due to a concussion suffered during their Week 8 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The 21-year-old missed every day in practice last week, but it's a positive sign to see him back without any restrictions to open the practice week ahead of their Week 10 matchup against the New York Giants. Burden has made plays in his limited opportunity this season, catching 13 of his 15 targets for 171 yards and a touchdown in seven games. Both Bears' top wideouts, Rome Odunze (heel, ankle) and D.J. Moore (hip, groin), missed Wednesday's practice. If either or both are unable to go in Week 10, Burden would likely see an uptick in routes and targets.
Nov 5, 2025 4:59 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (concussion) has officially been ruled out for his team's Week 9 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a concussion. Burden III suffered the injury during Chicago's Week 8 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and was a non-participant in practice this week. The 21-year-old has recorded 13 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets across seven games so far this season. Without Burden III, top Bears wideouts Rome Odunze and DJ Moore should still command the majority of the team's wide receiver targets. Additionally, WR3 Olamide Zaccheaus could see a slight uptick in playing time and target share.
Oct 31, 2025 3:35 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol and missed a second straight practice this week on Thursday. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Olamide Zaccheaus (knee) was listed as limited after picking up a DNP tag on Wednesday. Burden suffered a concussion in the Week 8 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and is now trending toward missing the Week 9 contest in Cincinnati against the Bengals this Sunday. Top wideouts Rome Odunze (heel) and DJ Moore (groin, hip) also missed practice on Wednesday, but they both were back on the field on Thursday and should be able to suit up this weekend. If Burden doesn't get cleared from the league's concussion protocol, Zaccheaus would serve as Chicago's WR3 if he's active against the Bengals. Fantasy managers should not be planning on having the 21-year-old Burden available as a flex play in deeper leagues.
Oct 30, 2025 3:31 PM EST
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 8 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. He initially exited in the third quarter and entered concussion protocol before being ruled out. The rookie finishes the game with just one catch for a loss of one yard. Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, and Olamide Zacchaeus will continue to operate as the Bears' top three receivers going forward. Burden is at risk of missing next Sunday's game against the Bengals, as he would need to clear concussion protocol in less than seven days to play.
Oct 26, 2025 3:36 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III continues to struggle to carve out a consistent role in the offense through five games. Burden has just 11 catches for 150 yards and one touchdown, ranking sixth on the team in targets. Despite preseason buzz and speculation that his role would expand after the Week 5 bye, Burden played only 22% of the snaps in Week 6, while Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, and Olamide Zaccheaus each logged over 85%. He'll face a Saints secondary that's allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025. Although the matchup is favorable, Burden's limited playing time keeps him off the fantasy radar in Week 7.
Oct 18, 2025 12:17 PM EST
Not only did Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III see his largest workload in Monday night's win over the Washington Commanders, but he could see even more involvement moving forward with teammate DJ Moore (groin) injured. Burden saw a season-high four targets in Week 6, catching all four for 51 yards in the 25-24 victory over Washington. Moore injured his groin during the game and was taken to a local hospital for overnight observation before missing Wednesday's practice. If Moore is unable to play this weekend against the New Orleans Saints, Burden would become Chicago's clear No. 2 passing target behind Rome Odunze in a plus matchup. The 21-year-old has been inconsistent in his first NFL season, but the upside is obvious after he caught three passes for 101 yards and his first touchdown on Sept. 21 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Oct 16, 2025 2:07 PM EST
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III has shown a high ceiling in his first five games in the NFL, and it looks like he could have more work coming his way in the coming weeks. After a bye week in Week 5, he led all Bears' wide receivers with 51 receiving yards on his four catches on four targets in Monday night's win over the Commanders. Burden had 101 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 against the Cowboys, but then had a down game in Week 4 with two catches for a total of -2 yards. Olamide Zaccheaus actually led the team with six targets, while D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze each had one more than Burden. However, with Moore's status uncertain after spending the night in the hospital, Burden could step into a more involved role in Week 7 against the Saints. The rookie brings a high ceiling if he's on the waiver wire and is worth a speculative pickup in standard-sized leagues since the Bears are past their bye and have favorable matchups against the Saints, Ravens, Bengals, and Giants in the next four weeks.
Oct 14, 2025 11:01 AM EST
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III has had limited opportunity so far through four games, but has made the most of them. He's caught seven of eight targets for 99 yards and a touchdown on the year, with most of that coming in Week 3 against Dallas when he caught all three targets for 101 yards and a touchdown. He strangely has negative receiving yardage in two of the other three games, but has looked explosive in his time on the field. His snap share hasn't risen to a very interesting level quite yet, sitting at 25.2% for the season. His snap share unfortunately didn't tick up in Week 4 after his breakout Week 3 game, but patience is to be encouraged with Burden. There are still plenty of mouths to feed in Chicago, but Burden is talented enough to emerge as a factor in Ben Johnson's offense. He's a great stash candidate until things change.
Oct 1, 2025 12:42 AM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III flashed big-play ability in Week 3's blowout win over the Cowboys, catching all three of his targets for 101 yards and a touchdown. He also logged a season-high 31% snap share, showing growth in his role. Despite the breakout performance, Burden's overall usage still limits his fantasy relevance. Through three games, he has played just 25% of the snaps, well behind Rome Odunze (95%), D.J. Moore (88%), and Olamide Zaccheaus (48%). Burden gets another favorable matchup in Week 4 against a Raiders secondary that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. However, until his role becomes more consistent, Burden remains unstartable in fantasy this week.
Sep 27, 2025 12:12 PM EST
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