Luther Burden III Carted Off in Bears’ Loss, But Early Signs Point to Minor Injury
The final play of the Bears’ wild 42-38 loss to the 49ers on Sunday night ended with more than just heartbreak on the scoreboard - it ended with rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III being carted off the field. But there’s some good news: early reports suggest the injury may not be serious.
Burden, who’s quickly become one of Caleb Williams’ go-to targets, went down in the end zone on a second-and-goal attempt from San Francisco’s 2-yard line. Williams looked his way on what could’ve been a game-winning throw, but the pass fell incomplete.
As the dust settled, Burden stayed down, clutching his leg. He tried to walk it off but couldn’t make it off the field under his own power.
The cart came out, and just like that, a career night ended with a bit of a scare.
The initial diagnosis? A quad injury.
According to reports, the Bears don’t believe it’s serious, though Burden is scheduled for further testing to confirm the extent of the damage. For a team with playoff aspirations and a young offense finding its rhythm, that’s a sigh of relief.
Before the injury, Burden was electric. He caught 8 of his 9 targets for 138 yards and a touchdown - all career highs. It was a breakout performance on a big stage, the kind of game that signals a young receiver isn’t just learning the ropes - he’s ready to be a difference-maker.
This wasn’t his first flash of brilliance, either. Back in Week 3 against Dallas, Burden showed his big-play potential with three catches for 101 yards and a score.
But Sunday night felt different. It wasn’t just about splash plays - it was about consistency, trust, and timing with his quarterback.
Williams looked to him often, and Burden delivered.
With Rome Odunze sidelined by injury, Burden has stepped up in a major way. Since being taken in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft (39th overall), he’s steadily carved out a bigger role in the offense. Through 16 games, he’s posted 44 catches for 617 yards and two touchdowns - strong numbers for a rookie, especially in an offense still evolving around its young quarterback.
At 11-5 and playoff-bound, the Bears are heading into January with momentum - and a growing list of young playmakers. If Burden’s injury is indeed minor, he’ll have a chance to be part of Chicago’s postseason push. And if Sunday night was any indication, the rookie is ready for the spotlight.