Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III sustained a concussion late in the fourth quarter of a 27-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.
Burden exited the Week 9 matchup with fewer than four minutes remaining after absorbing a helmet-to-helmet hit from Buccaneers rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain near the sideline.
The collision jarred the ball loose for a fumble that Tampa Bay recovered, setting up a tying score before Cairo Santos secured the win with a walk-off field goal. The 22-year-old recorded seven catches on nine targets for 97 yards and a touchdown before his departure, including a 56-yard catch-and-run score in the first quarter.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson confirmed the diagnosis to reporters after the game, according to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. Luther Burden has a concussion, per Ben Johnson,
Cronin wrote. Johnson also noted postgame, We had two injuries. Tyrique (Stevenson) with the thumb, and Luther (Burden) with a concussion. We’ll see where we’re at there.
That looked bad. Luther Burden gets hit and immediately loses possession of the ball. He collapsed face first into the ground and was helped off the field by trainers.
— Post by @CourtneyRCronin on X
Williams said, according to Heavy, that they ended up running a screen play with Burden catching the ball on a quick route.
The second-year receiver now enters the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol, which requires him to progress through symptom-limited activity, aerobic exercise, football-specific exercise, club-based non-contact training drills, and full football activity before receiving medical clearance to return.
Analysts note that Burden was selected in the second round at 39th overall last year and has established himself as Williams’ primary target, leading Chicago in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches this season.
His absence hurts the team, particularly as the Bears also dealt with injuries to Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon during the matchup. With Burden sidelined, Chicago will look toward Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, Kalif Raymond, and Jahdae Walker to shoulder the receiving load.
Ben Johnson says Luther Burden had a concussion. Tyrique Stevenson with a thumb injury.
— Post by @sean_hammond on X
Bears Wire points out that Chicago enters a timely bye week in Week 10, giving Burden additional recovery time without immediately missing a game. If he progresses through the protocol, he could return to the lineup when the Bears host the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field on Nov. 22, 2026.
More on Luther Burden
Luther Burden helmet to helmet hit, in blue tent for concussion check pic.twitter.com/AUaARXm5f4
— Post by @MaddoxMcCloudPT on X
Luther Burden has a concussion, per Ben Johnson.
— Post by @CourtneyRCronin on X
Luther Burden Was Also Banged Up After This Play. Tough Look After The Fumble, And Now He’s Dealing With An Injury Too. https://t.co/GBC7qjv2g1 pic.twitter.com/hqtP6SjdYA
— Post by @SMHighlights1 on X
Luther Burden now walking off the field slowly.
— Post by @BradBiggs on X
Luther Burden fumbles and Tampa has excellent field position and Burden is injured.
— Post by @BradBiggs on X
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