Luther Burden III
Wide Receiver
Luther Burden III News
Luther Burden III Could Be on the Verge of a Superstar Breakout
Across seven games in 2026, Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III has recorded 35 catches for 491 yards and two touchdowns on 47 targets. While the 22-year-old's numbers are solid on their own, there's some reason to believe that he may be in line for even better production the rest of the way. Across the three games where Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been fully healthy, Burden III has hauled in 17 receptions for 288 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets. Burden III has had his two best games of the season in the last two weeks, recording back-to-back games with at least 95 receiving yards. When the Chicago offense is fully operational, it profiles as an extremely tough unit for defenses to slow down. Burden III should continue to see plenty of chances for big plays and touchdowns and profiles as a must-start wide receiver for fantasy managers in most league formats.
Oct 28, 2026 12:27 PM EST
Luther Burden III Goes Over Century Mark, Scores in Thursday's Win
Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III looked like the second-year breakout player that many fantasy managers envisioned coming into this season in the team's 30-24 victory on Thursday night over the visiting New England Patriots. Burden had a strong connection with quarterback Caleb Williams and caught all four of his targets for a season-high 130 yards and his second touchdown of the 2026 season. His four targets were tied with running back D'Andre Swift for third on the team behind tight end Colston Loveland's 12 and Rome Odunze's five, but he struck for chunk gains and averaged a strong 32.5 yards per reception on the night. Burden also carried the ball once for a gain of seven yards on the ground. It is a second straight strong game for the 22-year-old wideout after he caught all eight of his targets for 95 yards in last week's win over the Atlanta Falcons. The former second-rounder from Missouri is one of Williams' favorite targets and should be considered a must-start after a slow start going into the Monday night matchup in Week 8 on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.
Oct 22, 2026 7:38 PM EST
Luther Burden III A Borderline WR2 Vs. New England
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III and the Bears host the Patriots in Week 7 on Thursday Night Football. Burden is coming off a strong showing last week, when Caleb Williams returned from his hamstring injury and was very efficient. Burden caught all eight of his targets for a season-high 95 yards, although he didn't get into the end zone. The Patriots' secondary has been solid when healthy this season, allowing only two wide receiver touchdowns in the last three weeks. Burden is still a low-end WR2 this week, checking in as the No. 22 WR in RotoBaller's Week 7 rankings. He has emerged as the Bears' top receiver this season, leading the team in catches, targets, and receiving yards. He has shown a solid rapport with Williams and is a strong option to have in your lineup this week, especially if he's in your FLEX or third WR slot.
Oct 22, 2026 5:31 AM EST
Luther Burden III Gaining Momentum Ahead of Clash With Falcons
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is lined up for a strong fantasy matchup in this weekend's road contest with the Atlanta Falcons. Burden has been solid this season, albeit unspectacular for owners who paid up to draft him. For what it's worth, the 22-year-old led the team's receiving corps last time out, and he's recorded at least four receptions and six targets in all but one appearance this season. Furthermore, Burden saw his snap share jump up in Week 5, potentially cementing him ahead of veteran teammate Kalif Raymond in the offense's hierarchy once and for all. With the target share finally stabilizing and quarterback Caleb Williams' return (hamstring) looming, things are looking up for the Bears' pass catchers. Even if Williams doesn't suit up for this Sunday, Burden and the rest of the receiving corps will face a vulnerable Falcons secondary, enhancing the passing game's outlook. The second-year pro comes in as a mid-to-low-end WR2 for his outing with Atlanta and, officially, RotoBaller's PPR WR20 for the weekend.
Oct 17, 2026 3:17 AM EST
Luther Burden III Enters WR2 Territory for Divisional Clash
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is scheduled for a prime spot in a divisional road matchup with the Green Bay Packers this Sunday. Burden's start to the 2026 campaign has been anything but poor, but it isn't what fantasy managers were hoping for when they spent a fifth-round pick on the University of Missouri alum. Still, he's been great for a player who's cleared 61% of the team's snaps in just one of four appearances. In Chicago's win over the Jets, at least, veteran Kalif Raymond saw his target share drop considerably. Additionally, Burden out-snapped Raymond for the first time since Week 1. If that is a trend, it's wheels up for the former, and his outlook gets a boost for the rest of the season. For now, he's a strong bet for WR2 numbers against a Packers defense that's been a liability at times in the early going. The 22-year-old is RotoBaller's PPR WR21 for the divisional clash.
Oct 9, 2026 10:03 PM EST
Luther Burden III A Priority Buy-Low Player After Slow Start To Season
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III was the subject of intense speculation in fantasy football circles this offseason as the potential breakout star WR1 for the Bears for 2026. That hasn't happened so far this year -- in fact, none of the Bears pass-catchers other than veteran wideout Kalif Raymond have exceeded expectations, as surprising as that is. Burden's target numbers are still solid, though, as he averages just under 7.3 targets per game. That resulted in a 19.8 PPR fantasy point performance in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and he's now scored double-digit PPR fantasy points in two games in a row. He has a strong 25.6 percent target share on offense, good for 15th among all the league's wide receivers, and has been targeted six times in the red zone, which ranks no. 3 in the league. The production may not be ideal right now, but with those numbers he has a good chance of getting back on track and enjoying a breakout season. He had a respectable 63 receiving yards in Week 4 with backup QB Tyson Bagent throwing to him. His price in fantasy football has fallen significantly as a result of his low production, making him an ideal buy-low target. His fellow Bears pass-catchers have struggled despite being top draft targets, which could pave the way for Burden to dominate targets, receptions, and yards for his team moving forward.
Oct 7, 2026 3:39 PM EST
Luther Burden III Remains a Strong Week 4 Bet
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is well positioned for another productive outing as his team squares off with the visiting New York Jets in Week 4. The University of Missouri product posted strong numbers in last Monday's 27-7 win over the Eagles. Fellow wideout Kalif Raymond led the team with 90 receiving yards on the back of a 41-yard catch-and-run that cashed in for six, but Burden captained the way with seven catches on 11 targets. In fact, the 22-year-old leads Chicago in looks over his last two appearances and has been heavily involved, though he placed third (86) in snaps behind Raymond (100) and Rome Odunze (123) over that time frame. Even if Raymond edges out Burden in two-wide-receiver sets, Burden still appears to be a key cog in Chicago's aerial attack. New York isn't an easy opponent, but Burden looks to be over a preseason groin injury and has retained the elevated role he boasted to close out the 2025 campaign. Fantasy managers can roll the second-year pass catcher out as RotoBaller's PPR WR29 for his matchup with the Jets.
Oct 3, 2026 6:18 AM EST
Luther Burden III Comes With Risk in Week 3
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is not an easy player to trust Monday night, though his recent usage at least keeps him in the flex mix. Burden drew seven targets against Minnesota last week, catching three passes for 32 yards, and he has 12 targets through the first two games. Caleb Williams (hamstring) being out changes the outlook, with Case Keenum expected to start against Philadelphia. That is a tougher setup for the Chicago passing game, especially against an Eagles defense that has played well against opposing receivers. Burden sits at WR34 in RotoBaller's PPR rankings this week. There is enough involvement here to use him if the alternatives are thin, particularly in deeper leagues. Managers who have another dependable WR3 or flex option can also justify leaving Burden on the bench rather than taking on the quarterback and matchup risk.
Sep 27, 2026 10:09 AM EST
Luther Burden III a Shaky WR3/Flex Amid QB Change
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III presents as a precarious option ahead of the team's matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. Expectations for Burden and Chicago's passing attack were sky-high heading into the campaign, but a few down weeks and a quarterback change have shifted the offense's trajectory. Initially, the 22-year-old was presumed to be a top-three option at worst for the Bears, but Kalif Raymond's emergence has siphoned away opportunities. Furthermore, it's unclear how long Caleb Williams (hamstring) will be shelved, further clouding the offense's outlook. For what it's worth, Raymond outsnapped Burden in Week 2 - a situation fantasy managers must monitor in case the latter has fallen behind the veteran in two-wide receiver sets. Either way, the second-year wideout isn't as enticing as he was in recent weeks, dropping to RotoBaller's PPR WR34 ahead of his bout with Philadelphia.
Sep 26, 2026 2:01 PM EST
Luther Burden III Trending Down with Quarterback Injured
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III has not lived up to his preseason hype, totaling just eight catches, 95 yards, zero touchdowns, and one lost fumble through two games. To make matters worse, he's facing a quarterback downgrade heading into Week 3. Caleb Williams (hamstring) and Tyson Bagent (concussion) are both expected to miss Sunday's game against the Eagles, leaving third-string quarterback Case Keenum in line to start. This massive shift in quarterback play will likely only hurt Burden's already iffy fantasy outlook. With Williams at the helm, Burden was a WR3, but at least he had upside in a high-powered offense. Keenum's takeover raises serious questions about whether this offense will be able to function, and therefore, Burden takes on a very low floor. The only saving grace is that the Bears might go pass-heavy in a negative game script, but that's not enough reason to start him with confidence. Managers would be better suited to find an alternative receiver to plug in at WR3/flex for the duration of Williams' absence.
Sep 24, 2026 9:31 PM EST
Luther Burden III Continues Sluggish Start
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III came into the season hyped as a breakout candidate, but he's off to a slow start. Burden hauled in five receptions for 63 yards in the season opener, but he did worse on Sunday. The second-year wideout finished with three receptions on seven targets for 32 yards in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears also potentially lost quarterback Caleb Williams (hamstring) for a period of time, so that's going to impact Burden's value as well. The 22-year-old wideout is not trending in the right direction heading into the Week 3 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sep 20, 2026 6:52 PM EST
Luther Burden III a High-End WR2 Option in Week 2
Given that his team won the game 59-37, Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III's stat line in his team's Week 1 victory over the Carolina Panthers was a bit underwhelming for fantasy managers. The 22-year-old finished the game with five catches for 63 yards on five targets. Still, the explosive nature of the Bears offense in Week 1 is a positive sign for Burden III's season-long outlook. In Week 2, Chicago will take on a more difficult matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings recorded four sacks and an interception in Week 1, but they also allowed 387 passing yards and seven receptions of 20 or more yards to the Green Bay Packers. If the Bears can give quarterback Caleb Williams enough time, Burden III could be well-positioned to make some huge plays over the top of the Minnesota defense. All in all, Burden III profiles as a high-end WR2 option in Week 2.
Sep 19, 2026 6:11 PM EST
Luther Burden III Primed for More Work Against Minnesota
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is set for a strong outing in this weekend's divisional matchup with the Minnesota Vikings at home. The University of Missouri product had, by all intents and purposes, solid production in last Sunday's 59-37 flogging of the Panthers, going for 63 yards on five-of-five receiving. While fantasy managers might quibble about Burden - and Chicago's receiving weapons as a whole, for that matter - not coming through in a bigger way on a day the team posted nearly 60 points, it's a positive outcome considering the groin injury that robbed him of the preseason. Week 2 won't be easy for quarterback Caleb Williams and company against an aggressive Brian Flores defense. On the other hand, Minnesota yielded a league-high 353 passing yards to Jordan Love and the Packers to start the year, which may be a chink in their armor. Burden is RotoBaller's PPR WR18 for this weekend's pivotal contest.
Sep 18, 2026 10:07 PM EST
Luther Burden III Proves Breakout Case With Strong Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III was one of the most popular second-year breakout candidates at the receiver position going into the 2026 season. Burden backed up that hype in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Carolina Panthers, playing a team-high 73% of the offensive snaps while catching all five of his targets for 63 yards. The 22-year-old also had one carry for a gain of just two yards. It actually might have been a little disappointing that Burden did not have a bigger game, with the Bears putting up a whopping 59 points in the win over Carolina. It is also worth noting that second-year tight end Colston Loveland did not have a single catch in this one. The Bears' passing game was not really needed against the Panthers, but that could change quickly in their Week 2 divisional clash against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Burden is definitely going to have some monster games in his second year in head coach Ben Johnson's offense, and he should be in all starting fantasy lineups this weekend as a WR2/3.
Sep 17, 2026 10:52 AM EST
Luther Burden III Could See Bigger Role in Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is without an injury designation for his team's opening game against the hosting Carolina Panthers. Burden sustained a groin injury in early August that derailed his preseason, but he returned to practice ahead of Week 1 and did so at full capacity. The 22-year-old's late-2025 surge jettisoned him up draft boards this Summer, and rightfully so considering his talent and participation in an ascending, young offense. He'll get a Panthers squad to open the year that has made some improvements on the defensive side, but is by no means a scary matchup. More so, Burden could be in line for a heavier target share if fellow wideout Rome Odunze (calf) is hampered by a soft-tissue issue picked up last week. For now, fantasy managers can roll out the Missouri native as a high-upside WR3/flex, with the innate ability to break off a big play at a moment's notice. Burden is RotoBaller's PPR WR27 for the first week of play.
Sep 11, 2026 6:57 PM EST
Luther Burden III Appears Healthy Ahead of Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) was one of the most talked-about players in the early stages of training camp, seemingly making a highlight play every time he took the field. A groin injury suffered in early August caused him to miss a significant portion of camp, but by most accounts he has looked like the same explosive player since returning to practice more than a week ago, and all indications point to a full workload in the Bears' season opener against the Panthers on Sunday. Following the departure of veteran DJ Moore, Burden will compete with Rome Odunze and tight end Colston Loveland to see the most targets in what profiles as a high-ceiling Chicago offense, and after dominating on a per-route basis late in his rookie season, the second-year wideout with WR1 upside could see a hot start to the 2026 season.
Sep 9, 2026 8:13 AM EST
Luther Burden III Poised for Breakout Season Amidst Improving Health Outlook?
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) missed a large chunk of training camp after suffering a groin injury in early August. However, the second-year wideout returned to the practice field on Tuesday, and he appears to be trending toward being a full-go for Week 1. Across 15 games (five starts) as a rookie in 2025, Burden III recorded 47 catches for 652 yards and two touchdowns on 60 targets. His best stretch came at the end of the year, as he recorded 21 catches for 324 yards and a touchdown over his final four games of the regular season. Entering 2026, Burden III appears poised to play an even larger role in the Bears' passing game following the team's offseason trade of veteran wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. As long as he remains on the field, Burden III could be in line for a breakout season.
Sep 5, 2026 5:29 AM EST
Luther Burden III Will Practice Tuesday
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) will practice Tuesday, head coach Ben Johnson said, according to Mason Williams. Burden injured his groin during an Aug. 8 practice and missed the rest of the preseason. He returned to the field Aug. 26 but was limited to individual drills before heading inside when the Bears moved into 7-on-7 work. Tuesday's practice should give Chicago another look at where he stands as Week 1 approaches. Burden caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games as a rookie and is listed with the first-team offense on the Bears' current depth chart. Getting him back into team work would be another encouraging step, but his actual participation level Tuesday will matter more than the announcement itself.
Sep 1, 2026 11:26 AM EST
Luther Burden III "Looks 100%", Positive Sign for His Week 1 Availability
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) did not participate in the team's final preseason game as he continues to work his way back from the groin injury that has sidelined him for much of training camp, but following the Bears' 24-15 win over the Titans, head coach Ben Johnson offered some strong reassurance about his Week 1 availability. "He looks 100% to me," Johnson told the media. Burden had been a standout in nearly every session to begin camp, but went down to the ground and left with trainers after getting tangled with cornerback Tyrique Stevenson on August 8th and has not returned to practice since. Following Johnson's latest update, the arrow is pointing back up, and big things are expected of Burden in his second season, making him a potential league-winning selection at his currently discounted ADP of WR24.
Aug 30, 2026 5:24 AM EST
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
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