Report: Bears ink 2nd-round pick Luther Burden III in time for camp, but major piece of defense placed on injury list

The Bears’ newest NFL Draft class reported to the team’s training camp Saturday at Halas Hall in Lake Forest.

And with the whole draft class under contract.

The final piece to that puzzle was receiver Luther Burden III out of Missouri, the No. 39 overall pick in the draft and the first of the Bears’ three second-round selections. On Friday, according to ESPN Senior Insider Adam Schefter, the Bears reached agreement with Burden on a fully-guaranteed $10.965 million contract.

Citing Win Sports Group, Schefter says Burden’s deal marks the first time in NFL history that the 39th overall pick in the draft has secured a fully-guaranteed contract.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports, citing a source, that Burden’s deal is for four years, and he becomes the first Bears second-rounder ever to receive a fully-guaranteed contract.

The Chicago Tribune reported Thursday, also citing sources, that the Bears and their other two second-round picks, offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo out of Boston College and defensive end Shemar Turner out of Texas A&M, had agreed to four-year rookie contracts.

Getting their most recent second-round picks under contract has become an issue this summer for NFL teams, but the Bears were able to get all three of theirs signed just in time to report to training camp.

The Bears signed their first-round pick and the 10th overall selection in the draft, tight end Colston Loveland out of Michigan, to a four-year, fully-guaranteed contract back in May. The deal includes a $16.01 million signing bonus, according to NFL Network National Insider Ian Rapoport.

Loveland has been recovering from an AC joint injury to his right shoulder that required surgery, but he said during offseason training that he thought he’d been ready to go full-speed ahead for the start of training camp.

Jaylon Johnson on injury list

After rookies reported Saturday, Bears veterans are scheduled to report to training camp on Tuesday, July 22.

But one significant name will not be on the field.

Two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson will open training camp on the active/non-football injury list, the team announced Saturday. Johnson’s injury is undisclosed.

Also starting training camp on the active/non-injury list will be quarterback Case Keenum, receiver Jahdae Walker and running back Ian Wheeler.

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Report: Bears ink 2nd-round pick Luther Burden III in time for camp, but major piece of defense placed on injury list

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