Ben Johnson Updates Status of Luther Burden After Scary Injury vs. 49ers

The Chicago Bears dodged a bullet with what appeared to be a significant injury to receiver Luther Burden III at the end of the San Francisco 49ers game.

Burden was seen grabbing his leg after Caleb Williams' pass in the end zone to Jahdae Walker fell incomplete. The Bears lost 42-38 and now can no longer compete for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

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The fans had nothing to worry about with Burden, luckily, as he was seen answering questions in the locker room after the game, which suggested he avoided a significant injury. Burden set a new season-high with 138 receiving yards and one touchdown in the loss.

At Wednesday's press conference, head coach Ben Johnson was asked for an update on Burden and stated that the team is hopeful to have him back in the lineup for Week 18 against the Detroit Lions.

"We're hopeful that he'll be fine this week," Johnson said.

Burden has been on a hot streak lately, combining for 289 receiving yards and one touchdown in his last three games. He fell to the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but it's starting to look like that was a mistake.

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This recent hot streak couldn't have come at a better time, with Rome Odunze missing the last three games with a foot injury. Odunze has 661 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Burden is fourth on the team with 617 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

It sounds like if Burden is healthy, he will play against the Lions. Johnson stated earlier this week that the Bears will be playing to win, not sitting any of their starters, despite already clinching a playoff spot.

This is a much different approach than the Philadelphia Eagles are taking, as it was reported that they will be sitting Jalen Hurts and most of their starters for their game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

With a win over the Lions, the Bears will be facing the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round. If all goes to plan, Chicago will be the No. 2 seed and Green Bay will be the No. 7 seed. The same result will happen if the Eagles lose to the Commanders. Both outcomes would guarantee that Chicago is the No. 2 seed for the playoffs.

All the Bears can do is try to win on Sunday and force a third meeting with the Packers. Kickoff is at 3:25 p.m. CT on Fox.