Exclusive: Bears Anticipate Burden’s Absence in Preseason Games

Updated August 10, 2026 7 min read

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Bears Expect Luther Burden III to Miss Entire Preseason With Groin Injury

TL;DR: The Chicago Bears expect rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III to miss the entire 2026 preseason after suffering a groin injury. Despite the setback, team sources indicate the former Missouri standout is still on track to return for the regular-season opener in Week 1. The injury adds to a growing list of preseason health concerns for Chicago’s receiving corps.

Quick Answer

Multiple sources confirm that Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is expected to miss all preseason games due to a groin injury. The team does not consider the injury serious enough to affect his availability for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL regular season. Burden, a key offseason addition, will continue rehabbing with the goal of being fully cleared before meaningful games begin in September.

What Happened to Luther Burden III?

Luther Burden III suffered a groin injury during the Bears’ preseason preparation period, prompting the team to shut him down for all exhibition contests. According to reports from ESPN, The New York Times, and UPI, the injury is not considered long-term but requires rest and rehabilitation to prevent a more serious setback. The Bears are choosing a cautious approach with one of their most important offensive weapons.

When Did the Injury Occur?

The exact date of Burden’s groin injury has not been publicly disclosed by the Bears organization. However, reports surfaced on or around August 10, 2026, indicating that the team had already made the decision to hold him out of the entire preseason schedule. Head coach Matt Eberflus and the Bears’ medical staff determined that rest was the best course of action.

How Serious Is the Groin Injury?

According to Draft Sharks and multiple NFL insiders, the groin injury is not expected to sideline Burden beyond the preseason. The Bears remain confident he will be available for the Week 1 regular-season opener. Groin injuries range widely in severity, but the team’s optimism suggests this falls on the milder end of the spectrum. Still, the organization is unwilling to risk aggravating the injury in meaningless exhibition games.

Why the Bears Are Taking a Precautionary Approach

The decision to hold Burden out of the preseason reflects a broader NFL trend of protecting key players during exhibition games. With only three preseason matchups on the 2026 schedule, teams increasingly view these games as opportunities to evaluate depth players and roster bubble candidates rather than expose starters to unnecessary injury risk.

For the Bears specifically, Burden represents a significant investment and a critical component of the 2026 offensive game plan. Losing him for regular-season games would be far more damaging than missing a few preseason snaps.

Burden’s Role in the Bears’ 2026 Offense

Luther Burden III arrived in Chicago as one of the most dynamic playmakers in recent draft history. The former Missouri standout brings elite speed, route-running ability, and yards-after-catch skill to a Bears offense looking to take a significant leap in 2026. Chicago’s coaching staff views him as a potential WR1 who can stretch the field and create mismatches against opposing defenses.

His absence in the preseason means the coaching staff will have less time to build chemistry with the starting quarterback during live-game situations. However, Burden can still participate in practice repetitions and walk-throughs as his groin heals, allowing him to continue developing timing with his teammates.

Other Bears Injury Concerns Heading Into 2026

Burden is not the only Bears player dealing with health issues during the preseason. According to Windy City Gridiron, the team is also monitoring injuries to offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo and running back Zavion Thomas. These additional health concerns compound Chicago’s challenge of fielding a healthy roster for the Week 1 opener against their NFC North rivals.

Ozzy Trapilo Injury Status

Trapilo, a key piece of the Bears’ offensive line depth, is dealing with his own injury issue that has limited his availability during training camp. The Bears are evaluating whether he will require any extended absence or can return to full participation before the regular season begins.

Zavion Thomas Injury Update

Running back Zavion Thomas is also navigating a preseason injury that has affected his preparation. The Bears’ backfield depth will be tested if Thomas cannot return to full health before Week 1, though early indications suggest his absence is not expected to be long-term.

Impact on the Bears’ Preseason Game Plan

Without Burden in the lineup, the Bears will use the preseason to evaluate alternative receiving options and depth players at the position. Undrafted free agents and roster bubble wide receivers will have an extended opportunity to impress the coaching staff and secure roster spots.

The preseason also provides reps for backup quarterbacks and offensive linemen who are competing for roles. While losing Burden diminishes the entertainment value of exhibition games, the Bears’ priority remains ensuring their star receiver is healthy when real games begin.

Key Takeaways

Luther Burden III is expected to miss the entire 2026 preseason with a groin injury
The Bears remain confident Burden will be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener
Chicago is taking a cautious, preventive approach to protect their top offensive weapon
The team is also monitoring injuries to Ozzy Trapilo and Zavion Thomas during preseason
Burden’s absence gives depth receivers a chance to earn roster spots in exhibition games

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, according to multiple sources including ESPN and Draft Sharks, Luther Burden III is still expected to be available for the Bears’ Week 1 regular-season game. The preseason absence is precautionary, and the team believes his groin injury will be fully healed before meaningful games begin in September 2026.

How long will Luther Burden III be out with a groin injury?

Burden is expected to miss the entire preseason, which consists of three exhibition games in 2026. The Bears have ruled him out for all preseason contests but anticipate a full recovery before the regular season. The total absence is expected to span approximately four to five weeks from the initial injury through the preseason period.

What does Luther Burden III’s absence mean for the Bears’ offense?

While losing Burden for the preseason limits the Bears’ ability to build in-game chemistry with their starting quarterback, the coaching staff can still develop timing during practice sessions. The more significant concern would be if the injury lingered into the regular season, which current reports indicate is not expected to happen.

Are there other Bears players injured during the 2026 preseason?

Yes, the Bears are also dealing with injuries to offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo and running back Zavion Thomas. Both players are being monitored by the team’s medical staff, though neither injury is believed to be season-threatening at this time. The cumulative effect of multiple injuries could impact the Bears’ depth heading into the regular season.

Can Luther Burden III still practice during his preseason absence?

Burden is expected to continue participating in non-contact activities, walk-throughs, and mental preparation while his groin heals. The team will manage his workload carefully, but keeping him involved in film study and playbook installation helps ensure he is mentally sharp when cleared to return to full action for Week 1.

Conclusion

The Chicago Bears’ decision to hold Luther Burden III out of the entire 2026 preseason reflects a smart, long-term approach to managing one of their most valuable offensive players. While the groin injury is a temporary setback, all indications point toward Burden being fully healthy and ready to contribute when the Bears open their regular-season campaign in September.

The preseason absence does create opportunities for depth receivers to showcase their abilities, and the coaching staff will gain valuable evaluative data on their backup options. Combined with the team’s ongoing monitoring of injuries to Ozzy Trapilo and Zavion Thomas, the Bears face a delicate balance between player health and regular-season preparedness. For the latest updates on Bears injury news and Luther Burden III’s recovery timeline, follow official team reports and NFL insider coverage throughout the remainder of the preseason.