Who Should I Start? Noah Brown or Luther Burden III

Wednesday, October 15, 12:48 PM

The Washington Commanders announced on Wednesday that they placed wide receiver Noah Brown (groin, knee) on Injured Reserve. After already missing the team's last four games with groin and knee injuries, Brown will now be forced to miss at least four more games and will not be eligible to return until the Week 11 game on Sunday, Nov. 11, against the Miami Dolphins. Washington has also been without top wideout Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) for the last several games, leading to Deebo Samuel Sr. getting more work in the offense. With Brown now out for at least another four contests, it means that Luke McCaffrey and rookie Jaylin Lane should have a clear path to more playing time for the foreseeable future, at least until McLaurin is able to return. Brown, 29, caught three of seven targets for 36 yards and no touchdowns in the first two games of 2025 before getting hurt.

Saturday, November 22, 9:54 AM

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.