Who Should I Start? Alec Pierce or Luther Burden III

Thursday, August 14, 7:13 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (groin) missed another training camp practice on Thursday with a groin injury, according to The Athletic's James Boyd. Pierce is considered day-to-day and almost certainly won't play in the second preseason game this Saturday against the Green Bay Packers. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Josh Downs suffered a hamstring injury in practice on Thursday and left early. The health of Indy's receivers is something to watch closely as we near the start of the 2025 regular season. With both Pierce and Downs banged up, Adonai Mitchell is the team's WR2 behind Michael Pittman Jr., while Ashton Dulin will also take on a bigger role. Pierce led the NFL with 22.3 yards per catch in 2024 and had a career-high 824 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games, but he'll have plenty of competition for targets with a QB situation that isn't ideal.

Friday, August 15, 2:13 PM

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III was working with the second-team offense during 11-on-11 drills in Friday's training camp practice, according to Greg Braggs Jr. of CHGO Sports. Burden has flashed his potential this summer, but he also got off to a late start to camp with a nagging injury. The 21-year-old second-rounder caught two of his three targets for 29 yards in the team's preseason opener last week against the Miami Dolphins as he looks to earn a key role in Chicago's passing attack in his first year in the NFL. Burden is primarily competing with Olamide Zaccheaus for the WR3 job behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, but the problem is that Zaccheaus has reportedly had a very strong camp and appears to be holding off the rookie for now. There's plenty of playmaking ability here, but Burden is currently more attractive in dynasty/keeper leagues.