Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III is expected to play in the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, and he "should figure into the rotation significantly." However, Biggs is unsure if he'd put Burden in the starter category just yet. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland will also suit up on Sunday, although quarterback Caleb Williams, running back D'Andre Swift and receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze aren't starting. The 21-year-old Burden missed important development time during spring practices and the start of training camp with a soft-tissue injury, so the Bears would like to get him extra work in the preseason opener as their WR1. The second-rounder is primarily battling with Olamide Zaccheaus in his rookie season for the WR3 role in new head coach Ben Johnson's offense.
Aug 10, 2025 1:31 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III "looks outstanding," according to Adam Hoge of CHGO. Burden III was kicked out of practice by Bears head coach Ben Johnson on Tuesday after making a pre-snap alignment mistake, but it appears as though he's rebounded nicely from the mental error. Drafted in the second round out of Missouri, Burden III recorded 61 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games for the Tigers last season. He's expected to take over for the departed Keenan Allen as the Bears' primary slot receiver this season, so he must get up to speed quickly in training camp. Burden III will have plenty of competition for targets in Chicago. Wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze figure to be ahead of him in the pecking order, and tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland might be as well.
Jul 31, 2025 11:53 AM EST
Chicago Bears rookie second-round wide receiver Luther Burden III (hamstring) made his return to team drills in training camp practice on Tuesday and was then promptly kicked out of drills by head coach Ben Johnson after a pre-snap alignment/motion issue, according to Adam Hoge of CHGO Sports. "It shows up already. I mean, we were in the walk-through yesterday afternoon and the misalignments - we have to re-huddle, we have to start it all over again. He's a little bit behind right now," Johnson said about the time that Burden has missed in camp. The 21-year-old missed OTAs, minicamp and the start of training camp, so the rookie is definitely behind, and it's showing. There's time for him to get it straightened out before the regular season, but he's off to a bad start as he competes with Olamide Zaccheaus for the WR3 role behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.
Jul 29, 2025 1:55 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (hamstring) is on the field for training camp practice on Monday after he missed the first four practices with a lingering hamstring injury, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Burden tweaked his hamstring during minicamp in June, and although the injury wasn't very serious, the Bears played it safe with the second-round wideout and held him out last week at the start of training camp. Chicago will ease the 21-year-old in with the backups at first, but eventually he'll be competing with Olamide Zaccheaus for WR3 duties in 2025 behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. The 6-foot, 206-pounder has been compared to Moore and could eventually had a key role in Chicago's passing attack under new head coach Ben Johnson, but for 2025, Burden will be more of a dynasty/keeper asset.
Jul 28, 2025 12:19 PM EST
Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (undisclosed) remains out of training camp practice on Saturday, but head coach Ben Johnson said he's hopeful that Burden will be back soon. The 21-year-old second-rounder suffered an undisclosed soft-tissue injury during the offseason program during the spring and isn't quite ready to join the rest of the team on the field at camp. However, Burden avoided the Physically Unable to Perform list and should be back sooner than later as he competes for the No. 3 receiver role in his first NFL season behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. The 39th overall pick has plenty of playmaking abilities but will most likely struggle for consistent targets in Year 1 as long a Moore and Odunze stay healthy. Olamide Zaccheaus figures to be Burden's primary competition.
Jul 26, 2025 11:31 AM EST
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is calling rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (undisclosed) day-to-day at training camp. "The soft-tissue thing (from the spring) lingered. I'm hopeful it's just a few days," Johnson said. Although the 21-year-old second-rounder isn't ready for the start of training camp, he should be ready to go soon and be a full-go for the start of his first NFL season this fall. When he gets onto the field, Burden will mainly be competing with Olamide Zaccheaus for the WR3 role in Chicago's offense behind DJ Moore and second-year man Rome Odunze. There's definitely opportunity, but Burden has already missed a lot of development time this offseason and could struggle to make an impact or carve out a meaningful role early on. There's certainly intrigue with Burden in Johnson's offense given his after-the-catch prowess, but he'll go undrafted in standard 12-team fantasy leagues.
Jul 24, 2025 1:11 PM EST
ESPN's Courtney Cronin writes that Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (undisclosed) was not present at training camp practice on Wednesday and still appears to be dealing with injuries from the spring -- he landed on a ball awkwardly in minicamp and suffered a soft-tissue injury during OTAs. It's frustrating for Burden that he's already missed so much practice time heading into his first NFL season, but the good news is he avoided landing on the Physically Unable to Perform list during training camp, so it's likely just a matter of time before the 21-year-old pass-catcher is able to get back on the field. When he is ready to return to practice, the 39th overall pick in April's NFL draft will be competing mainly with Olamide Zaccheaus for the No. 3 receiver role behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Barring an injury to Moore or Odunze, Burden is probably going to struggle for consistent targets in 2025.
Jul 23, 2025 1:05 PM EST
According to Adam Schefter, the Chicago Bears and wide receiver Luther Burden III have agreed on a four-year deal. The second-round pick will get a four-year, $10.9 million contract that is fully guaranteed. This is the first time in NFL history that the 39th overall pick has secured a fully-guaranteed deal. Burden has been off to a slow start as he missed spring practices due to a soft tissue issue. Head coach Ben Johnson isn't concerned and believes Burden will be fine in time for training camp. Burden figures to serve as the No. 3 wideout behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. The Bears have a handful of options on offense, so Burden might get lost in the shuffle during his first year in Chicago.
Jul 18, 2025 5:55 PM EST
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson seems confident that rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (undisclosed) will be good to go for the start of training camp later this month, according to The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain. Burden was unavailable to take part in any of OTAs or minicamp this offseason after the Bears took him at No. 39 overall in April's NFL draft. The 21-year-old pass-catcher lost valuable development time heading into his first year in the NFL, but the good news is he should be ready to go when training camp kicks off this summer. Burden will be competing for the WR3 role in Chicago behind DJ Moore and second-year wideout Rome Odunze. The Bears also have tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland, too, so there are plenty of mouths to feed in head coach Ben Johnson's offense. Burden was very productive in college, but don't expect a heavy workload in his first year in the NFL.
Jul 10, 2025 1:23 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (undisclosed), who suffered an undisclosed injury back in rookie minicamp, is expected to be ready to go for the start of training camp in late July, according to head coach Ben Johnson. The 21-year-old second-rounder has yet to sign his rookie deal, too, which is also playing a part in his absence from offseason workouts as he heads into his first year in the NFL. Burden is losing valuable reps to learn Johnson's offense, but when he does rejoin the team, he has an opportunity to be the Bears' No. 3 wideout in 2025 behind DJ Moore and second-year pass-catcher Rome Odunze. When you factor in tight ends Cole Kmet and rookie Colston Loveland (shoulder) and running back D'Andre Swift, it's a lot of mouths to feed in Chicago. Burden's physicality and production in college make him a fine dynasty/keeper stash, but he could struggle for consistency in 2025.
Jun 10, 2025 9:57 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (undisclosed) was still missing from offseason practices this week due to an undisclosed soft-tissue injury. It's unclear exactly what Burden is dealing with. Although he could be ready to go by training camp in late July, the 21-year-old pass-catcher is losing valuable developmental reps this offseason heading into his first NFL season in 2025. In addition to his injury, he has yet to sign his rookie contract. When healthy, Burden could be the Bears' No. 3 receiver in the slot alongside DJ Moore and second-year man Rome Odunze. He will likely be competing with Olamide Zaccheaus for the No. 3 role, but even if he wins it, Burden could be fighting an uphill battle for consistent targets in his rookie season on a Bears offense that now has six players that were former top-50 picks.
Jun 7, 2025 1:48 PM EST
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (undisclosed) is not practicing on Wednesday as he deals with a soft-tissue injury, according to head coach Ben Johnson. Johnson said, "It remains to be seen" when the rookie from Missouri will return to action. Burden was selected in the second round of last month's draft after compiling 192 receptions for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns in 38 career games. He added 34 carries for 234 yards and four scores as a runner. While Burden is an exciting player with the ball in his hands, it's tough to get too optimistic about his fantasy outlook in 2025. Caleb Williams is unproven at quarterback, and the Chicago pass-catching group is crowded with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, and D'Andre Swift. He's a solid dynasty rookie draft pick at cost, but it would be a surprise if he's a consistent producer for redraft leagues in Year 1.
May 21, 2025 3:29 PM EST
Chicago Bears rookie second-round wide receiver Luther Burden III still feels disrespected that he wasn't selected in the first round of this year's NFL draft. "I feel like teams that passed up on me are going to regret it," Burden said. "I just want to make everybody pay." Burden has been impressive in the early portions of rookie minicamp after being a first-team All-SEC selection the last two years. He caught 192 passes for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns in three college seasons at Missouri. The 21-year-old will join first-round rookie tight end Colston Loveland in an offense that already features pass-catchers DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet and Olamide Zaccheaus. The 6-foot, 206-pound Burden will initially be competing with Zaccheaus this summer for the WR3 role in Chicago. Volume will be an issue, but Burden certainly has intriguing after-the-catch abilities.
May 11, 2025 1:09 PM EST
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