NEWSLETTER
Trey Burton is looking to shed the “injury-prone” label he acquired during his final season in Chicago — one he believes came after injury misdiagnosis.
Here’s a tweet from Indianapolis Star reporter Joel A. Erickson:
Trey Burton said he was misdiagnosed before the start of last season, had a surgery that was fairly extensive and felt like he rushed back instead of taking the time to get ready.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) April 24, 2020
If you’ll recall, Burton’s 2019 calendar year began with him missing the Bears’ playoff game against the Eagles because of a groin injury that popped up late in the practice week. And throughout the offseason, Burton was left to explain that the injury wasn’t a result of anxiety that came as a result of him facing his former team on a big stage. Later in the year it was announced that Burton had undergone a sports hernia surgery, which caused him to miss OTAs, and ultimately led to cautious usage during training camp.
Things appeared to be clear for Burton to take-off with a clean bill of health until a late-summer groin injury kept him out of the lineup for the Bears’ season-opening loss to the Packers. Burton would go on to play eight games for the Bears, but was ineffective in his role as “U” tight end. He was ultimately placed on season-ending injured reserve and underwent offseason hip surgery.
I suppose there is an implication that whatever injury that was misdiagnosed ultimately led to his hip injury, and eventual release. After all, Burton’s injury battles were cited among the reasons the Bears released the tight end two years into a four-year contract he signed in 2018.
In the end, this is a pretty big reveal from Burton, and could be a damning one if he can prove to be healthy. Think about it: if the Bears misdiagnosed Burton’s injuries and released a player who — when healthy — could be a useful piece to the tight ends puzzle … yikes!
