Receiver Luther Burden is back.
The Bears’ second-round pick (39th overall) practiced for the first time in training camp Monday after recovering from a hamstring injury. However, he didn’t participate in team drills as he begins his ramp-up period, which looks similar to what the Bears have done with other injured players over the last week.
Coach Ben Johnson said Saturday that he hoped Burden would return soon, with fellow wide receiver DJ Moore noting that Burden, who starred at Missouri, had been attentive in camp.
“He gets called on in meetings, and he knows his plays, so that’s a good thing,” Moore said. “When he gets out there, he has to be ready to go.”
Burden could be asked to return punts, something he did 24 times in college, including once for a touchdown. Special-teams coordinator Richard Hightower said Burden is as dangerous as a returner as he is on offense.
“When he has the ball in his hands, he’s a different dude,” Hightower said. “He’s dynamic. So that’s what stands out to me. Obviously, we’re excited about that draft choice, and we’re excited about ways that he can prove that he can help this football team. But he’s got to prove [it].”
Burden hurt his hamstring during rookie minicamp in May. The Bears were hopeful he’d be ready for the start of camp, but he instead missed the first four practices.
Rookie defensive lineman Shemar Turner (ankle) and rookie cornerback Zah Frazier (personal reasons) remained out. Center Doug Kramer, who hurt his foot at the end of practice Saturday, didn’t participate, either. Defensive lineman Tanoh Kpassagnon left practice with a trainer.
Brisker on the move
New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will give safety Jaquan Brisker a chance to do something he never did under former Bears coach Matt Eberflus: move around the field.
“I’m in a lot of different packages,” Brisker said. “I’m studying other positions, too, which is perfect. That’s exactly what I wanted. I’ve been waiting for so long. But now, here it goes.”
Brisker could play outside like a cornerback or inside like a slot cornerback. At times, he’ll move closer to the line of scrimmage to help with run defense.
“I love being closer to the line of scrimmage,” he said. “So, really, [it’s] just having me anywhere where you’ve got to account for me, trying to see where I’m at and things like that. Just like Ben said the other day, ‘You’ve got to know where No. 9 is.’ ”
New helmet
Brisker, who suffered a concussion in Week 5 last season that kept him out for the rest of the year, decided to change his helmet this offseason. He picked the Riddell Axiom 3D model in part because it had the best scores in league-wide safety tests.
“My facemask was kind of similar to my last one,” he said. “That’s all I care about is the facemask.”
He elected not to wear a Guardian Cap during practice. The soft-shelled pads that fit over helmets are designed to reduce the force of impact on players’ helmets. Players also are allowed to wear them in games.
Notes
Running back Kyle Monangai said he lost seven pounds during the Bears’ muggy practice Monday, while center Drew Dalman lost more. The Bears spent the rest of the day Monday rehydrating with the help of the strength staff.
— Bulls forward Matas Buzelis and guard Ayo Dosunmu attended practice. Both are Chicago natives and Bears fans.
— Devin Hester, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame a year ago, also was in attendance.
