Chicago Bears Rookie Shemar Turner Expected Out Four Weeks With Ankle Injury

The Chicago Bears are facing significant challenges in their 2025 training camp due to injuries to key rookies. Rookie wide receiver Luther Burden, who missed much of the offseason with an injury, is struggling to keep up with preparations, prompting head coach Ben Johnson to openly critique his performance and consider veteran free agents like Amari Cooper or Keenan Allen as potential reinforcements. Meanwhile, second-round defensive tackle Shemar Turner suffered an ankle sprain during the first training camp practice and is expected to miss at least a month, jeopardizing his readiness for both preseason and possibly the regular season. Turner's injury is particularly impactful as it delays his development and integration into the Bears' defensive scheme under coordinator Dennis Allen, with the team considering placing him on injured reserve with a designation to return. This setback limits his opportunity to gain vital practice reps and game experience, which are critical for rookies to transition successfully to the NFL level. Overall, these injuries pose a significant hurdle for the Bears as they work to improve upon their 2024 performance and build depth on both offense and defense.