RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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One of the Bears ’ most exciting weapons for the upcoming season likely will be shelved until the season starts. Wide receiver Luther Burden injured his groin Saturday and is expected to miss the rest of the preseason.
The team hopes to have him back for the season opener Sept. 13 at the Panthers. In the meantime, the Bears have preseason games against the Browns, Bengals and Titans, as well as joint practices with the latter two.
When asked how much of an issue that is, coach Ben Johnson told the Sun-Times on Monday, “None.”
He added that the Bears don’t have long-term concerns about their other injuries as well, including defensive end Montez Sweat, left tackle Braxton Jones, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and rookie wide receiver Zavion Thomas.
Burden was one of Johnson’s first draft picks, going No. 39 overall last year, and he has big plans for him going into this season. He said in May, “I’m buying Luther Burden stock right now.”
As a rookie last season, Burden caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns. Even with No. 1 wide receiver Rome Odunze getting hurt, Burden played just 35% of the offense snaps as the Bears took it slowly with his development.
Without him, the Bears will proceed with Odunze and Kalif Raymond as their top options, and the injury will give Jahdae Walker, Thomas and others a bigger opportunity to campaign for a role.
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