Luther Burden III
Wide Receiver
Luther Burden III News
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
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
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