Are the Bears New Injuries a Major Concern in 2026?
The Chicago Bears are well underway in training camp in preparation for the upcoming season. The expectations on head coach Ben Johnson and his team have risen after an incredible performance last year that had the NFL world talking. Quarterback Caleb Williams exploded in his second year, throwing for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The star quarterback completed six fourth-quarter comebacks in 2025, as the Bears became one of the best teams in the NFL when losing late. As training camp has continued, things have looked even better on offense with the entire unit looking sharp. Unfortunately for Chicago, injuries have started to pop up around the team.
Wide receiver Luther Burden III most recently left practice, favoring his hamstring area after an awkward fall. There hasn’t been much of an update since the accident, but the Bears have begun to worry that their young receiver may now have a nagging injury going into the regular season. Along with Burden, safety Coby Bryant was injured in camp a few days ago. The former Seattle Seahawk hyperextended his knee, along with a bone bruise and a small fracture. Bryant is expected to miss the start of the season, a devastating blow to the Bears’ defense, as they expected him to bring significant success in 2026. Safety Cam Lewis stepped in for Bryant following the injury but would end up getting carted off with a hip and leg injury. The injuries have started to pile up, raising questions about whether the Bears are facing a situation similar to that of their division rival, the Detroit Lions.
Head coach Dan Campbell has been known to have intense practices since he landed in Detroit. While the Lions have seen much better results, injuries have been a huge problem for the team. Ben Johnson may run his practices in a similar style he saw in Detroit, which may be the reason for such a high volume of injuries so early. Fortunately, Bryant is expected to be back by Week Four for the defense, and the severity of Burden’s injury so far doesn’t seem too serious. Cornerback Kyler Gordon is also trending towards returning soon, which is positive news for the Bears defensive back room. Training camp will be one to monitor, as the Bears will try to avoid any more injuries before the season begins.
