Bears wide receiver Luther Burden is expected to miss about a month with a groin injury suffered in practice, but the team anticipates he will be ready for the season opener.
Burden exited Saturday’s practice early after sustaining the injury during one-on-one drills, with multiple reports confirming he limped back to the locker room. According to team sources and reporting from CBS and NFL Network, the injury will keep Burden off the field for the rest of the preseason and out of practice for the next several weeks.
The Bears’ regular season begins on September 13 against the Panthers, giving Burden just over a month to recover. Team officials remain optimistic that the timetable for Burden’s return aligns with the opening game, stating that if his recovery stays on track, he will be available for Week One.
Injury Impacts Bears’ Receiving Corps After Offseason Changes
Last season, Burden finished his rookie year with 47 catches for 652 yards and two touchdowns, ranking second among Bears receivers in receptions behind D. J. Moore. With Moore now traded, the Bears have placed even greater expectations on Burden for the upcoming season. Head coach Ben Johnson has recently praised Burden’s competitiveness and indicated a belief that the second-year receiver is poised for a significant role.
The groin injury is considered a setback, as it will prevent Burden from participating in any preseason games and limit his practice reps ahead of a critical sophomore campaign. However, the Bears do not expect the injury to linger into the regular season, provided his rehabilitation progresses without complications.
Burden’s absence comes at a time when the Bears are working to integrate new faces into their offense following the departure of their previous top receiver. The coaching staff has publicly stated its confidence in Burden’s ability to step up, and the team is counting on his presence for the season opener.
Reports from Saturday’s practice described Burden’s injury as occurring during intense one-on-one drills, after which he was seen limping to the locker room. Subsequent evaluations confirmed the groin issue, leading to the current recovery timeline.
The Bears’ wide receiver group will have to operate without Burden through training camp and the preseason schedule. This increases the urgency for other receivers on the roster to seize additional reps and potentially make an impression on the coaching staff ahead of final roster decisions.
As of now, there are no indications from the team of any plans to bring in additional reinforcements at the wide receiver position specifically due to Burden’s injury.
Burden’s rookie performance, which included two touchdowns and substantial yardage, has set expectations high for his second year. With the regular season opener against the Panthers approaching, all attention will be on his rehabilitation and readiness to return to full participation.
Head coach Ben Johnson’s comments reflect the organization’s belief in Burden’s recovery and his expected impact once the season begins. The Bears are proceeding with the assumption that Burden will be in the lineup when they face Carolina on September 13.
