Luther Burden III could be on track to see a bigger role going into Week 7; it’s just unfortunate how it might develop
The Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver could be in line for more usage against the New Orleans Saints.
The Chicago Bears had another gritty win in Week 6 over the Washington Commanders, and with the dust settled, we can take a look at some of the changes implemented during the bye week by head coach Ben Johnson and the rest of his staff.
The first change was obvious. The run game came alive and dominated against the Commanders with the offensive line, tight ends, and wide receivers all creating key blocks and lanes for the backs. Defensively, the run game had large improvements, too, with LB T.J. Edwards and CB Kyler Gordon back on the field.
Looking at the snap counts and route-share, some of the Bears’ rookies saw a positive uptick coming out of the bye week. That’s always an exciting sign, but when it comes to second-round wide receiver Luther Burden III, he could be on track to see an even bigger role in Week 7.
DJ Moore’s injury might open the door for Luther Burden III on Sunday
Following Monday night’s win, veteran wide receiver DJ Moore remained in the D.C. area and was transported to the hospital for an injury precaution. Johnson told reporters on Tuesday that Moore was back in Chicago and will be day-to-day with a groin injury.
It was all around a bizarre situation for Moore, and with a short week coming up, he could be forced to sit out a game or at least be limited on Sunday, depending on his practice availability. But, it’s worth noting Moore has not missed a single game since joining the Bears.
If that’s indeed the case, and Moore misses the game or is at least limited, it’ll be Burden’s opportunity to step up. In Week 6, the rookie receiver caught all four of his targets, turning them into 51 yards, while playing just 15 offensive snaps. He’s slowly starting to earn that trust to get more involved in the offense beyond trick plays.
Going into Week 7, Burden has the highest passer rating when targeted (146.5) on the team and is making big things happen after the catch. His route percentage also jumped from 27 percent in Week 4 to 39 percent in Week 6 after the bye week. There’s a high probability that the percentage jumps even higher on Sunday if Moore’s injury limits him throughout the week.
Burden’s shown already he can be an exciting weapon for this offense, both as a receiver and running with the ball in his hands. Going up against a defense that’s allowed the second-most passing touchdowns in 2025, this could be the perfect storm for the rookie to get involved in a big way.
Chicago Bears News
Ben Johnson’s stubbornness and faith in D’Andre Swift proved a lot of doubters wrong after cleaning up the run game in Week 6
D’Andre Swift struggled earlier in the season but had a strong showing vs. Washington.
