Luther Burden III’s first camp setback with the Bears doesn’t appear to be a major one, but it’s still something Chicago will have to monitor closely.
The former Mizzou Tigers star was seen on Saturday walking gingerly off the practice field with an athletic trainer. According to the report, Burden appeared to absorb a shot to the midsection and then had an awkward landing.
By Sunday afternoon, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport had the update: Burden suffered a groin injury and is expected to miss “a little bit of time.”
#Bears WR Luther Burden III suffered a groin injury recently in practice and should miss a little bit of time, source says. One to keep an eye on. pic.twitter.com/TZzSPA8173
- Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2026
That’s not the kind of news the Bears wanted, but the report suggests Burden avoided a season-ending injury. The exact timeline remains unclear, though groin injuries can be tricky and slow to go away. Given Burden’s explosiveness and his ability to create after the catch, it would make sense for Chicago to be careful with how quickly it pushes him back.
The timing matters, too. The NFL regular season opens on Sept. 9, and the Bears’ first game comes Sept. 13 against Carolina, roughly four weeks away.
Burden is also positioned for a big second season. With former Bears WR DJ Moore now in Buffalo, Burden became a go-to option for Caleb Williams late last year and could be in line to claim the WR1 spot in Chicago.
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