Bears WR Luther Burden III Suffers Groin Injury in Saturday Practice Session

Wide receiver Luther Burden III is expected to miss time following a groin injury sustained during a red zone drill on Saturday.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III sustained a groin injury during the team's practice session on Saturday. According to a Sunday report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the rookie wideout is expected to miss a period of time following the incident. The injury occurred during the final repetition of red zone one-on-one drills when Burden and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson became entangled while Stevenson was breaking up a pass thrown by quarterback Caleb Williams.

Burden was observed walking gingerly toward the weight room under his own power following the collision. He did not return to the field for the remainder of the session. While the team did not officially disclose the nature of the ailment on Saturday, subsequent reports confirmed the issue involves his groin. Stevenson also went to the ground during the play, landing on his back and remaining stationary for several moments while showing visible signs of pain.

Defensive Backfield Health Concerns

The collision between Burden and Stevenson left the cornerback requiring immediate attention from the training staff on the sideline. A trainer was seen applying ointment to the lower right side of Stevenson’s back during the evaluation. Despite the clear physical distress, Stevenson returned to the field to finish the practice, though he did eventually remove himself from an 11-on-11 period later in the day.

Further complicating the roster situation, safety Cam Lewis exited the practice early on Saturday. Lewis was participating in a red zone period near the conclusion of the session, where he was tasked with guarding wide receiver Rome Odunze. Following the play, Lewis was seen limping off the field. This exit further depleted a secondary that was already missing Coby Bryant, whom Lewis had been filling in for at the safety position.

Coaching Staff and Timetable Updates

Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen addressed the status of the secondary on Sunday, confirming that Cam Lewis would not participate in the day's practice. Allen noted that while he does not believe the safety's injury is significant, the team currently lacks a specific timetable for his return to football activities. The Bears have not yet provided a definitive date for when Burden is expected to rejoin the active roster for full drills.

These injuries occurred during a high-intensity red zone segment of the training schedule. The loss of Burden impacts the offensive rotation led by Williams, while the absences of Lewis and Bryant leave the defensive backfield thin during critical installation periods. The team has not released further medical updates regarding the specific severity of Stevenson's back discomfort following his return to the sideline for treatment.

Practice Personnel Adjustments

With multiple players sidelined, the Bears are forced to adjust their depth charts during upcoming sessions. The secondary remains the most affected unit, as the team manages the health of three different defensive backs simultaneously. The offensive unit will operate without Burden, who had been a primary target in the one-on-one passing drills prior to the groin injury. The Sunday practice schedule proceeded without Lewis, as confirmed by Allen’s personnel update regarding the safety's availability.