Injury flares up Saturday

Burton, who was inactive for Sunday's playoff loss to the Eagles, relayed Monday that after a full practice Friday, his groin locked up Saturday, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Analysis: The tight end was unable to rally in time for his team's wild-card loss and will thus have the entire offseason to move past what is not a long-term issue. In his first year with Chicago, Burton hauled in 54 of his 76 targets for 569 yards and six TDs in 16 games. The 27-year-old remains under contract with the Bears through the 2021 campaign and therefore is in line to maintain a key role in the team's Mitchell Trubisky-led offense in 2019.

Inactive Sunday

Burton (groin) is inactive for Sunday's wild-card game against the Eagles.

Analysis: With Burton out, Adam Shaheen and Ben Braunecker will head the Bears' tight end corps, with Daniel Brown also in the mix.

Added to injury report

Burton is listed as questionable for Sunday's wild-card game against the Eagles with a groin injury.

Analysis: Burton's late injury designation is a major concern as he wasn't listed on the injury report all week. The specifics and severity of the injury remain unclear as the 27-year-old is likely to be a game-time decision.

Another five grabs in win

Burton brought in five of six targets for 33 yards on the Bears' 24-10 win over the Vikings on Sunday.

Analysis: Burton paced the Bears in receptions and targets, and he posted his second straight five-catch effort to finish off the regular season. The five-year veteran's arrival this past offseason was met with plenty of anticipation after the upside he flashed in 2017 in Philadelphia, but Burton underwhelmed more often than not relative to those expectations. However, given that he enjoyed his longest stretch as a starter thus far in his career, Burton amassed career bests in receptions (54), receiving…read more

Catches five passes

Burton caught five passes for 30 yards in Chicago's 14-9 win over the 49ers.

Analysis: Burton hauled in each of his pass targets, but his longest catch of the day was just eight yards, as the 49ers' defender typically tackled him as soon as he got the football. He's been unable to post more than 40 yards in any of his last nine games, and he'll end the regular season with a difficult matchup at Minnesota.

Puts Chicago on top for good

Burton caught four of seven passes for 36 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 24-17 win over Green Bay.

Analysis: Chicago looked like it was heading for another grind-it-out contest when Burton broke through early in the fourth quarter with a 13-yard touchdown grab, snapping the tie and his five-game scoreless streak. The former Eagle started his tenure with the Bears on a bit of a hot streak with four touchdowns and three games with at least 50 yards receiving through his first six contests. He has scored just twice and has not topped 40 yards in a game since. When he's on, he's a valuable red-zone…read more

Unimpressive outing

Burton caught two passes for 22 yards in the Bears' 15-6 victory over the Rams.

Analysis: Although Burton was targeted five times, the Chicago passing attack was stuck in neutral in this contest, and he was actually second on the team in receiving yardage. With fewer than 30 yards in each of his last four games, he's become a low-upside fantasy option.

Invisible in Week 13

Burton wasn't targeted in the Bears' 30-27 overtime loss to the Giants.

Analysis: In a game where Chase Daniel threw 39 passes, it was surprising Burton didn't see a single target, and he's now exceeded 40 yards just a single time since Chicago's Week 5 bye. In addition, he's found the end zone once over his last six games. After being a solid fantasy option earlier in the season, his recent performances have made him a risky fantasy option.

Posts 28 yards

Burton caught four passes for 28 yards while losing a fumble in the Bears' 23-16 win over the Lions on Thursday.

Analysis: Burton was targeted seven times, but he struggled by losing a fumble and dropping a pass while failing to do much damage as a runner after three of his receptions. He's now posted fewer than 30 yards in four of his last five games with just one touchdown during that span and fantasy owners will now need to weigh out their lineup options before considering him an automatic starter each week.

Held to nine yards

Burton caught one pass for nine yards in the Bears' Week 11 win over the Vikings.

Analysis: Burton actually caught a screen pass that would've been for more than 20 yards, but the play was called back for holding. Otherwise, Mitch Trubisky threw 22 passes toward his wide receivers while directing just a single pass to his primary tight end. With just one game with more than four targets and 40 yards over his last seven games, his recent production has made him a touchdown-dependent fantasy option at tight end.

Posts 40 yards

Burton caught four passes for 40 yards in the Bears' 34-22 win over the Lions.

Analysis: Burton was targeted four times while Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller led the team in receiving. Burton has been held to 40 yards or fewer in four of his last five games, but with five touchdowns on the season, his ability to find the end zone makes him a strong weekly starter at tight end.

Scores fourth touchdown of season

Burton caught two passes for 28 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' 41-9 victory over the Bills.

Analysis: Controlling the game throughout, the Bears needed to throw just 20 passes, which resulted in Burton being targeted just three times. Fortunately for his fantasy owners, he was still in the game late in the fourth quarter when the team had a big lead and caught a late touchdown pass to salvage his fantasy day. Although he's been held to fewer than 30 yards in three of his last four games, he's also scored three times during that span, making him a solid weekly starter at tight end.

Quiet in Week 8

Burton caught three passes for 18 yards in Chicago's 24-10 win over the Jets.

Analysis: The Jets were well-prepared for the typical middle screens in which Burton specializes, and other than converting an 18-yard reception, his other catches resulted in him being tackled at the line of scrimmage. He's only had two games this season in which he's failed to produce as a top-12 tight end, which is impressive because he's been targeted more than five times just once over his last six contests, and he'll continue to be a strong weekly fantasy option.

Explodes in Week 7

Burton caught nine passes for 126 yards and a touchdown in Chicago's 38-31 loss to the Patriots.

Analysis: Mitch Trubisky found little success outside the hashes Sunday, but he was highly effective over the middle. Much of that was thanks to Burton, who often found loads of room to operate in the while the defense focused on the boundaries. In hauling in nine of 11 targets, he used his run-after-the-catch ability to post his biggest yardage total of the season. He also found himself wide open in the corner of the end zone while hauling in a touchdown pass for the third straight game. Especially…read more

Finds end zone in win

Burton hauled in two of four passes for 86 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' 48-10 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Analysis: Burton got the Bears' offensive explosion started with a 39-yard first-quarter touchdown in which he got loose down the right sideline for his second score of the season. The fifth-year pro still hasn't topped six targets in any game, but he's proven to be a serviceable downfield threat thus far in what had been a cautious Chicago air attack prior to Sunday. Burton will look to continue producing against the Dolphins in a Week 6 showdown following a Week 5 bye.

Leads Bears in receiving yards

Burton caught four passes for 55 yards in Chicago's Week 3 victory over Arizona.

Analysis: Burton saw the majority of his work in the first half while the Bears were playing with a 14-point deficit, and once they got back into the game they rarely threw the football. Although his yardage totals have improved each week, he's averaging just 30 yards per game with one touchdown, and although he's clearly a decent fantasy option, he's yet to prove that he'll be a top performer at tight end.

Scores in home debut

Burton caught all four of his targets for 20 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's 24-17 win over the Seahawks.

Analysis: Burton capped Chicago's opening offensive series with a three-yard touchdown from a well-designed shuffle pass. Although he wasn't very involved afterward -- and tied for third on the team in targets -- he at least caught everything thrown his way, an improvement from his one reception on six targets Week 1. On the back of that performance, Burton will look to keep moving in the right direction this Sunday versus the Cardinals.

Hauls in one pass

Burton caught one pass for 15 yards in Sunday's 24-23 loss to the Packers.

Analysis: Burton's unimpressive performance wasn't due to lack of opportunity, as he was second on the team with six targets, and he might have seen even more opportunities had the Bears not played conservatively after rolling to a 17-0 lead. He'll still be considered a fantasy starter going forward, especially since head coach Matt Nagy is certain to make regular use of the tight end position.

Not playing Saturday

Burton won't play in Saturday's preseason game versus the Chiefs, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic Chicago reports.

Analysis: Along with the bulk of the Bears' starting units, Burton won't take the field in preseason Week 3. His receiving ability was on full display in the team's previous exhibition Aug. 18, when he corralled four passes for 45 yards and a red-zone look that resulted in a touchdown. The usage wasn't much of a surprise due to the four-year, $32 million investment made in him in the offseason.

Reaches paydirt Saturday

Burton caught four passes for 45 yards and a score during Saturday's preseason game against the Broncos.

Analysis: Burton was much more involved than he was last week, frequently lining up in the slot and ultimately drawing the most looks from starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky among all Bears pass catchers. This is something we might need to get used to as Trubisky continues his development within an offense devoid of many other established receiving options outside of offseason prize Allen Robinson. Burton will look to build upon his impressive performance during Chicago's third preseason game next…read more

Snags pass

Burton caught his lone target for a five-yard gain during Thursday's 30-27 loss to Cincinnati.

Analysis: The only Mitchell Trubisky pass that went for positive yards on Thursday landed in Burton's hands. There's a fair amount of uncertainty in Chicago's offense this season. How wise was it to bring in a college coach as offensive coordinator? Can Trubisky take the next step in his development? Burton should be one of the better certainties. New head coach Matt Nagy, like Burton's former coach in Philadelphia, comes from the Andy Reid coaching tree and should have a good idea of how to utilize a…read more

Burton will play the "U" position in Bears head coach Matt Nagy's offensive scheme, filling the spot Travis Kelce occupied in Kansas City last season, Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Analysis: Nagy wants his "U" tight end to be a focal point of the passing attack, which explains why the Bears handed a four-year, $32 million contract to a player with 63 receptions in 61 career games. Burton did have 122 yards and three touchdowns in the two contests Zach Ertz missed for the Eagles last season, providing a strong hint that he's ready for a larger role ahead of his fifth NFL campaign. Burton will have that opportunity in Chicago, though his lack of size by tight-end standards may…read more

Joining Trubisky, Allen Robinson

Burton will sign a four-year, $32 million contract with the Bears when free agency opens Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: This is a massive contract for an undrafted free agent (2014) who had 63 catches in 61 career regular-season games for the Eagles. Burton did impress in the two contests Zach Ertz missed last season, catching seven passes for 122 yards and a trio of scores. The 26-year-old tight end will now head to Chicago, where he and Allen Robinson will try to help Mitchell Trubisky make a Year 2 leap. Burton won't necessarily have an every-down role, but he at least figures to be a regular in passing…read more

Burton has a number of serious suitors, including the Lions, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Best known for throwing a touchdown pass to Nick Foles on the "Philly Special" in the Super Bowl last month, Burton enjoyed an efficient regular season prior to the famous play, catching 23 of 30 targets for 248 yards and five touchdowns. He had seven receptions for 122 yards and three scores in the two games Zach Ertz missed, proving to be a more than capable replacement. In a free-agent class without any sure things at tight end, the 26-year-old Burton should be able to find starter money…read more

Burton threw a one-yard touchdown pass in Sunday's 41-33 win over the Patriots in the Super Bowl, and failed to reel in the only pass thrown his way.

Analysis: A passing touchdown certainly is surprising, but it's good to know Burton has that in his back pocket. While the 26-year-old caught a career-high five touchdowns during the regular season, he actually saw one fewer red-zone target in 2017 than he did the season prior. His 248 yards receiving while catching 23 of 31 targets all represent regression from 2016 as well. The soon-to-be fifth-year pro will now become an unrestricted free agent and will need to find somewhere to play outside of an…read more

Burton hauled in both of his targets for 15 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-29 win over the Giants.

Analysis: Though Burton was able to reach the end zone for the second game in a row, he unsurprisingly saw his workload take a significant hit with the return of starting tight end Zach Ertz from a one-game absence. Burton played just 11 of the Eagles' 68 offensive snaps Sunday, a stark decline from the 48 of 91 snaps (52.7 percent) he received in the Week 14 win over the Rams. So long as Ertz stays healthy over the final two regular-season contests, Burton isn't likely to see a dramatic spike in his…read more

Burton caught five of six targets for 71 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's 43-35 win over the Rams.

Analysis: Burton stepped up in the absence of Zach Ertz (concussion), finishing second on the team in receiving yardage and scoring touchdowns on back-to-back possessions in the first half. The fourth-year pro also experienced an uptick in production after Ertz left last weeks game and appears to be the direct beneficiary of the latter's absence. Burton's outlook for next week's game against the Giants is somewhat murky at the moment, given the possibility that his aforementioned teammate could return…read more

Burton caught four of seven pass attempts for 42 yards in Sunday night's loss to Seattle.

Analysis: Burton accumulated all of his stats once Zach Ertz left the contest late in the third quarter due to a concussion. While Brent Celek played two more snaps than Burton's 21, the 26-year-old saw all of the tight end targets after the starter's injury. If Ertz is forced to miss time, Burton would stand to benefit in Week 14 against the Rams.

Burton (back) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice.

Analysis: Burton was a game-time decision for Sunday's 31-3 win over the Bears and ultimately was held out. His return to practice Wednesday as a full participant suggests he'll be back for Sunday's game in Seattle, where he figures to get most of his work on special teams. Burton has proven to be a capable pass catcher when pushed into action, but his skill set is redundant when Zach Ertz is healthy.

Burton (back) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Bears, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: Burton's inability to practice Thursday or Friday left him a game-time decision, and a back injury will indeed keep the tight end in street clothes Week 12. Even when available to the offense, though, he's the third banana at tight end behind Zach Ertz and Brent Celek.

Burton (back) wasn't spotted at Friday's practice and is expected to be a game-time decision Sunday against the Bears, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: Burton was a limited practice participant Wednesday, but he's trending in the wrong direction after finishing the week with back-to-back absences. Eagles coach Doug Pederson nonetheless views his No. 3 tight end as a game-time decision, and the team hasn't yet bothered to sign a replacement. Burton only played 11 snaps on offense in last week's blowout win of the Cowboys, falling behind both Zach Ertz (60) and Brent Celek (23). Burton's absence might actually be a bigger loss on special teams,…read more

Burton was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a back injury.

Analysis: Burton ranked third among Eagles tight ends in offensive snaps (13) in the team's Week 11 win over the Cowboys, with Zach Ertz (60) and Brent Celek (23) both seeing more action. It appears Burton's back may have presented complications despite the light workload, though his participation in practice Wednesday still makes it likely he'll be good to go for Sunday's matchup with the Bears.

Burton caught two of four pass-attempts for 41 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Broncos.

Analysis: With Zach Ertz nursing his hamstring injury, Burton was still out-snapped by Brent Celek 54-47, and each saw the same amount of targets. This continues a season-long trend of Burton and Celek splitting work that Ertz doesn't get, with Celek seeing slightly more playing time due to his better blocking ability. Ertz was a game-time decision in this one, and with a Week 10 bye, ought to have healed sufficiently to be able to play against Dallas in Week 11. Should that not be the case however,…read more