Bears Star Burden Expected to Miss Preseason, Per Sources

Updated August 10, 2026 8 min read

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TL;DR: Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is expected to miss the entire 2026 NFL preseason after suffering a groin injury during training camp. According to multiple reports from ESPN, The New York Times, and other outlets, the second-year receiver is still on track to return for Week 1 of the regular season, giving the Bears optimism that their dynamic playmaker will be available when the games start to count.

Bears Star Luther Burden III Expected to Miss Preseason, Per Sources

Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is expected to miss the entire 2026 NFL preseason due to a groin injury, according to multiple league sources. The setback is a notable blow to Chicago’s preseason plans, but the organization remains confident the talented pass catcher will be healthy in time for the regular-season opener in September.

Quick Answer

Luther Burden III, the Bears’ second-year wide receiver, will miss the 2026 preseason with a groin injury. Multiple sources confirm the injury timeline, though the team expects him fully recovered for Week 1. The Bears are monitoring his rehabilitation closely and exercising caution with one of their most important offensive weapons heading into a critical season.

What Is Luther Burden III’s Injury and How Did It Happen?

Burden suffered a groin injury during Chicago’s training camp preparations. The exact date and specific play that caused the injury have not been publicly disclosed by the Bears organization. Groin injuries are among the most common ailments in the NFL, particularly for wide receivers who rely on explosive cutting and acceleration off the line of scrimmage.

According to NFL injury data, groin strains account for approximately 10 to 15 percent of all soft tissue injuries in the league during training camp. These injuries typically require three to six weeks of recovery for mild to moderate cases, though the Bears are taking a cautious approach by sitting Burden through the entire preseason slate.

Why Are the Bears Holding Burden Out of the Preseason?

The decision to shut Burden down for the preseason reflects the Bears’ prioritization of long-term health over exhibition game repetitions. Chicago has no incentive to rush a key offensive contributor back for meaningless August contests when the regular season represents the true measuring stick for the team.

Bears head coach and the medical staff are following a standard protocol for soft tissue injuries: allow full healing, progress through a structured rehabilitation program, and clear the player for game action only when there is no risk of re-injury. Rushing a groin injury back too early carries a significant risk of the ailment becoming chronic throughout the season.

How Does This Impact the Bears’ Offense?

Luther Burden III emerged as one of the most electric young receivers in the NFL during his rookie campaign. His ability to create separation, generate yards after the catch, and serve as a versatile weapon in the passing game made him an indispensable piece of Chicago’s offensive attack.

With Burden sidelined for the preseason, the Bears lose valuable chemistry-building time between the receiver and the quarterback. Training camp and preseason games are when timing routes are refined, nonverbal communication is developed, and rapport is built between signal-callers and their pass catchers.

However, several other Bears receivers and tight ends will have an expanded opportunity to prove themselves during preseason action. Players competing for roster spots and playing time will see increased targets and reps, which could benefit the overall depth of the position group.

What Are the Bears’ Other Injury Concerns?

Burden is not the only Bears player dealing with injury issues during training camp. The team is also monitoring the health of offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and running back Zavion Thomas, both of whom have been dealing with their own ailments. The collective health of the roster heading into the regular season remains a top priority for Chicago’s coaching staff.

Player	Position	Injury	Preseason Status	Week 1 Outlook
Luther Burden III	WR	Groin	Out	Expected to play
Ozzy Trapilo	OT	Undisclosed	Limited	TBD
Zavion Thomas	RB	Undisclosed	Limited	TBD

Is Burden Expected to Be Ready for Week 1?

Yes. According to reports from ESPN and The New York Times, Burden is still expected to be fully healthy and available for the Bears’ Week 1 regular-season game. This timeline aligns with the typical recovery window for a moderate groin strain, assuming no setbacks occur during the rehabilitation process.

Burden will likely follow a progressive return-to-play protocol that begins with individual conditioning and position-specific drills before advancing to full-contact practice. The Bears will probably ramp up his activity gradually in the weeks leading up to the regular-season opener to ensure he is game-ready.

What Does This Mean for Burden’s Fantasy Football Value?

For fantasy football managers drafting in the coming weeks, Burden’s preseason absence should not significantly affect his draft stock. Preseason performance has historically shown little correlation with regular-season production, and Burden’s established role in the Bears’ offense gives him a reliable floor.

That said, the missed time with the starting quarterback during preseason could lead to a slightly slower start in September. Fantasy managers targeting Burden in drafts should monitor his health updates throughout August and the first two weeks of the regular season for any signs of lingering effects from the groin injury.

What Should Bears Fans Watch For?

The most important development for Bears fans to monitor is Burden’s progression through his rehabilitation program. Any reports of setbacks or changes to his Week 1 timeline would significantly alter the outlook for Chicago’s passing attack.

During the preseason, fans should also pay attention to how the Bears distribute targets among the remaining receivers. The performance of younger players stepping into larger roles during Burden’s absence could reveal valuable information about the depth and resilience of the team’s receiving corps.

Key Takeaways

Luther Burden III will miss the entire 2026 NFL preseason due to a groin injury sustained during training camp.
Multiple authoritative sources, including ESPN and The New York Times, confirm the injury timeline and the team’s expectations for a Week 1 return.
The Bears are prioritizing long-term health by allowing Burden to fully recover before returning to game action.
Chicago’s coaching staff will use the preseason to evaluate other receivers and build offensive depth while Burden rehabilitates.
Burden’s fantasy football value and role in the Bears’ offense remain strong, with no long-term concerns expected from this injury.

Conclusion

Luther Burden III’s expected absence from the 2026 preseason is a short-term concern but not a long-term alarm for the Chicago Bears. The organization is handling the situation with the appropriate level of caution, prioritizing the receiver’s full recovery over meaningless exhibition games. With Burden on track for a Week 1 return, the Bears can focus their preseason energy on evaluating depth and building chemistry across the rest of the roster while their star receiver gets healthy. For more information on Bears roster updates and NFL injury news, follow the latest reports from Chicago’s training camp coverage.

The Bottom Line

The Chicago Bears expect Luther Burden III to miss the entire preseason with a groin injury, according to multiple league sources. The setback is not considered serious, and the team projects the dynamic wide receiver will be fully healthy and available for the regular-season opener. Bears fans and fantasy football managers should view this as a precautionary measure rather than a cause for concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Luther Burden III expected to be out?

Luther Burden III is expected to miss the entirety of the 2026 NFL preseason, which typically spans three to four weeks in August. The Bears anticipate he will be fully recovered and available for Week 1 of the regular season, placing his total recovery timeline at approximately three to four weeks from the time of the injury.

What type of injury does Luther Burden III have?

Luther Burden III is dealing with a groin injury. Groin strains are common among NFL wide receivers due to the explosive movements required at the position, including sudden cuts, acceleration, and deceleration during route running and pass catching.

Will Luther Burden III play in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season?

According to multiple reports from ESPN and The New York Times, Burden is still expected to be available for Week 1. The Bears are exercising caution with the preseason timeline to ensure there are no setbacks before the games that matter begin.

Who will replace Luther Burden III during the preseason?

The Bears have not named a specific replacement for Burden during preseason action. Instead, the team will use the exhibition games to evaluate multiple receivers on the roster, giving younger and depth players increased opportunities to showcase their abilities in live game situations.

Is this a long-term concern for the Bears’ offense?

No, this is not considered a long-term concern. The groin injury is viewed as a short-term issue, and the Bears expect Burden to be fully healthy for the regular season. There are no reports suggesting the injury is severe enough to threaten his availability beyond the preseason.

How does a preseason absence affect Burden’s chemistry with the quarterback?

Missing preseason games does reduce the amount of live-action timing work between Burden and the starting quarterback. However, the pair will continue to work together during regular-season practices, and the established relationship from the previous season provides a strong foundation that preseason repetitions would only build upon incrementally.