Chicago Bears starting tight end Trey Burton will be inactive for the NFL regular-season opener on Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Burton is dealing with a groin injury sustained last week. It is reported that he suffered a mild groin strain. He underwent a sports hernia surgery in the 2019 offseason.
“I feel like it is getting slightly better, but we’ll make that decision as we go,” coach Matt Nagy said on Tuesday, via Chicago Sun-Times‘ Patrick Finley. “But it’ll end up being pretty much a game-time decision, and that’s all we can really do. We’re prepared both ways.”
Earlier in training camp, Nagy said he'll take it slow with Burton, who was then returning from surgery, saying to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune:
“I said it the other day: He didn’t do a lot, with the surgery and everything, for five months. It’s hard to come back and just be thrust in and try to look like yourself. We’re trying to slowly do it. We’ll pick it up. We’ll start getting him more reps as we go here. But I’m protecting him right now.”
It appears as if Nagy and Co. are taking that same slow approach with his latest injury.
With Burton out, the Bears will turn to their backup three tight ends listed on the depth chart: Adam Shaheen, Ben Braunecker, and Bradley Sowell.
Shaheen will likely see the bulk of the snaps — a talented oft-injured 2017 second-round pick that has failed to make an impression. Over two seasons of play, he caught 17 passes for 175 yards and four touchdowns. Braunecker has seven for 83 yards and no scores. Sowell is a blocker; his original position was offensive tackle.
Follow Us
Subscribe