Luther Burden III Sidelined for Preseason Following Groin Injury in Red Zone Drills

Chicago Bears wideout Luther Burden III is slated to miss all preseason contests after suffering a groin injury during a collision with Tyrique Stevenson.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III will miss the entire 2026 preseason schedule due to a groin injury sustained during Saturday's training camp session. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday that while the 22-year-old is sidelined for the immediate future, the organization expects him to be active for the regular-season opener against the Carolina Panthers. Burden is coming off a productive rookie campaign where he secured 47 receptions for 652 yards, maintaining an average of 13.8 yards per catch while finding the end zone twice.

Key details

The specific incident occurred on the final repetition of a red zone one-on-one period. During the play, Burden became physically entangled with cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who subsequently landed on the receiver’s back. The 2025 second-round draft pick remained on the grass for several minutes in visible discomfort before medical personnel assisted him to the sideline. Although he attempted to stay on the field, the Missouri product was unable to participate in the ensuing 11-on-11 team drills and was officially withdrawn from practice.

Medical evaluations conducted following the session confirmed the groin strain, leading the coaching staff to adopt a cautious approach with their projected starter. By holding him out of exhibition games, the Bears aim to ensure his soft-tissue recovery is complete before the high-intensity demands of the September kickoff. This strategy prioritizes long-term health over preseason repetitions, especially given Burden's established chemistry with the first-team offense during his 652-yard debut season.

Latest developments

In addition to the news regarding the sophomore wideout, the Bears are monitoring the health of receiver Zavion Thomas. The rookie experienced knee soreness during 7-on-7 passing drills on Sunday afternoon. Team officials characterized the issue as minor, suggesting that Thomas will not face a prolonged absence from the practice field. Unlike the definitive preseason shutdown issued for his teammate, Thomas remains day-to-day as the training staff manages his workload to prevent a more significant setback.

Courtney Cronin, who transitioned to the Bears beat in 2022 after five years covering the Minnesota Vikings, noted that these injuries test the depth of Chicago’s receiving room. With Burden unavailable for the upcoming exhibition slate, more targets will likely be distributed among the secondary options on the depth chart. The team is currently navigating these health hurdles while preparing for a Week 1 matchup that remains the target date for a full offensive roster.

The loss of Burden for the next three weeks removes a dynamic vertical threat from the preseason lineup. During his first year in the league, the receiver proved his efficiency by turning limited targets into significant yardage, often serving as a primary option in critical third-down situations. His absence forces the coaching staff to evaluate younger talent in game scenarios earlier than originally anticipated. The medical team will continue to provide updates as the receiver progresses through his rehabilitation program at the Halas Hall facility.