Luther Burden injury update: Bears get concerning news on rookie WR after being carted off during Week 17 SNF

Luther Burden was the belle of the ball for the Chicago Bears in the eyes of Cris Collinsworth, who gave the wide receiver a round of applause for the work he had done this season. However, Chicago was dealt a double-punch to the gut in the closing moments of one of the most explosive games of the year. On the game's final play, Burden suffered an injury, capping a disastrous final ten seconds.

According to a report by NFL insider Adam Schefter posted on X on Monday morning, Burden suffered a quad injury. The injury required him to be carted off the field during the post-game rush by both teams to shake hands and go its separate ways. Schefter's update could be viewed as a glass half-full or half-empty.

"Bears WR Luther Burden, who was carted off the field after Sunday night’s game, suffered a quad injury that is not thought to be serious," Schefter posted. "He will undergo additional testing today."

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Of course, the question is what Schefter and/or the Bears and its medical staff's definition of not serious is. Could Burden be on the field in Week 18, or will Chicago need to survive in the playoffs for a time first? Either way, the situation for the team's receiver room has suddenly become tenuous.

Luther Burden's injury risks thinning loaded Bears receiving room to dangerous levels

Luther Burden at Chicago Bears v San Francisco 49ers - NFL 2025 - Source: Getty

Luther Burden's health is in question, but it isn't the only health question in Chicago's receiving room. In addition to Burden, Caleb Williams has been left wondering about Rome Odunze, who missed the contest against the San Francisco 49ers with a foot injury.

Odunze wasn't the only absent receiver as Olamide Zaccheus, who is in his first season away from the Washington Commanders, missed Sunday's contest as well. Zaccheaus had an illness designation alongside DJ Moore, who managed to suit up on Sunday.

Put simply, the wide receiver room is standing on shaky footing. If Burden can get healthy, Odunze can put together some full practices, Moore can rest himself back to health, and Zaccheaus can get back to full health, Chicago could be a passing behemoth.

Of course, with seeding set to potentially play an instrumental role in the team's Super Bowl push and many outcomes still possible, the pressure on the receiving room to heal up in time to face a respected Detroit Lions team in Week 18 is significant.

Will the receiver room be able to get back to 100% this week?

Edited by Ian Van Roy