Bears expect Burden back for Week 1 after groin injury

Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden is expected to be sidelined for roughly four weeks of training camp after suffering a groin injury in Saturday’s practice, according to current medical projections. The timetable keeps him on track to be available for Chicago’s regular-season opener against the Carolina Panthers on September 13.

The absence comes at a sensitive point in the club’s offseason program, with the coaching staff planning for Burden to take on a larger role in the passing game. The Bears traded D.J. Moore during the offseason, and officials have indicated Burden is slated to become a primary option within the receiving group.

Training camp plans reshaped by Burden’s injury

Burden’s expected month-long rehabilitation is set to remove him from much of the install period when route concepts, timing, and communication are typically sharpened. With the injury projected to keep him out for the balance of the preseason, he is not expected to get live-game reps before Week 1.

Officials said the team will monitor his progress through August and will use physical benchmarks to determine when he can safely return to full-contact work. The is to have him cleared for active duty by mid-September, aligning with the Panthers game.

Why the Bears see Burden as a focal point Burden, a second-year player, produced 47 receptions in his rookie season, establishing himself as a regular target in the offense. With Moore no longer on the roster following the trade, the Bears have described Burden as central to how they intend to structure the upcoming season’s passing attack.

From a preparation standpoint, losing a projected lead receiver for most of camp can force changes in practice rotations and accelerate opportunities for other pass catchers. At the same time, medical projections referenced by the team indicate the injury is not expected to have long-term implications for his availability once the regular season begins.

Preseason absence raises timing questions

The key uncertainty for Chicago is not the Week 1 date itself, but how quickly Burden can regain game speed and timing after missing preseason action. Without exhibition snaps, the coaching staff will have limited live evaluation time with Burden in his expanded role before the opener.

For now, the Bears are proceeding with an August plan built around rehabilitation checkpoints, aiming to have Burden ready for full participation by the time the team turns its focus to the September 13 matchup with Carolina.