Olamide

Zaccheaus

Zaccheaus’ catch in the dying moments of the second quarter proved to be his only target. With the Bears finally getting second-round rookie Luther Burden more involved, Zaccheaus has two catches for 11 yards over the past three weeks. He is back to being out of sight, out of mind in 12-team fantasy leagues.

Zaccheaus logged just nine pass routes on the day after operating as the team’s primary slot receiver for the first ten weeks of the regular season. Rookie WR Luther Burden, meanwhile, ran 23 routes and caught three of his five targets for 27 yards in the victory. It appears Burden has leapfrogged Zaccheaus as Chicago’s main slot guy.

Burden saw more playing time than usual, logging a pass route on 23 of the Bears’ 37 drop backs. Olamide Zaccheaus, who has operated as the team’s primary slot receiver this season, ran just nine routes on the day and was not targeted. It’s a potentially significant development — one that suggests Ben Johnson and the Bears are ready to ramp up the explosive rookie, who has more than two receptions in just four games this season. Burden is a good waiver wire addition for receiver-needy fantasy teams ahead of Chicago’s Week 12 game against the Steelers.

Zaccheaus had two (possibly three) drops in this one, as he saw a playing time bump with DJ Moore dealing with a potentially serious shoulder injury. Zachheuas, who had 13 receptions over the previous two games, could be surprisingly useful as the Bears’ primary slot guy in Week 11 against Minnesota — unless the Bears are intent on getting rookie WR Luther Burden more involved in the offense.

Zaccheaus saw an uptick in snaps and routes with Luther Burden III sidelined with a brain injury. He scored his first touchdown of the season and operated as the Bears’ main slot receiver throughout. Zaccheaus now has 13 receptions over his past two games and could be rostered in some deeper PPR formats ahead of Week 10.

He will look to escape concussion protocol next week. Olamide Zaccheaus (knee) was cleared off the final injury report and figures to take most of the third-receiver snaps for the Bears this week, but he’s mostly an unexciting low-floor FLEX option.

Zaccheaus is trending toward playing in Week 9 against the Bengals, while rookie WR Luther Burden (concussion) remains sidelined through two practices. It is possible Zaccheaus takes on a slightly larger role if Burden is unable to play, though Zaccheaus would only be on the WR5/FLEX radar if so.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson called Zaccheaus “day to day” on Monday. The Bears have been giving DJ Moore and D’Andre Swift Wednesdays off in recent weeks as they both nurse groin injuries. Both players have been able to suit up by Sunday every week. Zaccheaus might be getting a similar treatment, but it’s too early to say for sure. With Luther Burden likely out due to a concussion this week, Devin Duvernay could be in line for extra snaps versus the Bengals.

Zaccheaus caught a season-high seven balls against the Ravens in Week 8 with Luther Burden ruled out early in concussion protocol. Zaccheaus is a pro’s pro, but has not cleared 42 yards receiving all year and does not need to be in fantasy consideration outside of deeper leagues.

Zaccheaus is still serving as a safety blanket option for Caleb Williams, who was regularly playing under pressure against the Raiders. His most notable play occurred on the Bears’ third drive, when he helped Williams successfully convert on third down. Zaccheaus does not need to be in starting rosters in 12-team leagues but it is possible he emerges from his team’s Week 5 bye in this same role if the coaching staff continues to favor him to Luther Burden. The Bears face the Commanders in Week 6.