After a frightening groin injury sidelined the explosive wideout during training camp, Chicago’s coaching staff confirms the star receiver is 100% and ready for the regular-season opener.
Chicago Bears fans held their breath when they learned of the injury to receiver Luther Burden.
The team had already had one of their main receivers out for the second half of last season after Rome Odunze went down with a stress fracture in his foot.
Losing Odunze had a big impact on the receiver room. He sustained the injury in Week 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles and missed the rest of the regular season because of it.
He came back in the playoffs, but it was clear that the team was different when he wasn't on the field.
Burden suffered a groin injury in training camp and was expected to miss the entire preseason.
Odunze and most of the starters, including Burden, didn't play in the preseason due to his recent injury.
He was seen warming up ahead of Saturday's game with the Tennessee Titans. He didn't get in the game, however.
Head coach Ben Johnson was asked about Burden after the game and didn't leave anything up for speculation.
"He looks 100% to me," Johnson said.
It's crucial that Burden and Odunze remain healthy. They no longer have veteran wideout D.J. Moore on the team. This team can't afford to lose starting receivers to injury, especially before the regular season starts.
Kalif Raymond is a crafty veteran, but he's not the player that Moore once was. After the 53-man roster came out, Raymond, rookie Zavion Thomas and Jahdae Walker are behind Odunze and Burden.
Although Thomas has looked good in the preseason, he's still an unproven rookie who has yet to go against starting caliber players. With Walker, he had his moments last year but isn't the kind of player you want getting a lot of attention from opposing defenses.
Burden is in position for a breakout season in 2026. With Moore out of the picture, he should get more targets on offense.
We saw Burden show flashes at certain points last year. He had a 100-yard game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3 and another in Week 17 versus the San Francisco 49ers.
Burden has a real chance to establish himself in the receiver room this year. Luckily, it sounds like the Bears dodged a bullet and should have him available for the season opener with the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 13.
If Burden goes down in the regular season, this team could be in some serious trouble.
