Olamide

Zaccheaus

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.

Zaccheaus is well ahead of second-round rookie Luther Burden III on the depth chart, but it isn’t mattering from a fantasy perspective. Coaching staffs love the journeyman wideout, but fantasy managers can continue to leave him on the waiver wire.

Zaccheaus finished second on the team in targets behind only Rome Odunze, likely seeing his volume spike due to increasing pressure from an aggressive Brian Flores Vikings defense. He remains on the fringe of fantasy consideration in deeper leagues as the WR3 in Chicago.

Caleb Williams spotted Zaccheaus open in the shallows and hit him in stride as he scooted past the first-down marker. Zaccheaus was off to the races after that, shedding an ankle-grab as he snaked downfield. Zaccheaus is beginning to look like he may warrant a few WR5/flex starts against soft defenses early in the year. He has Williams’ trust. The coaching staff will undoubtedly give Luther Burden opportunities to take the WR3 job from him, so Zaccheaus’ fantasy relevance could dry up rapidly, but for now, Zaccheaus appears to be on track for WR3 duties in Week 1.

Per Bair, Olamide “has shown flashes every day of an excellent training camp to this point” and “it’s crystal clear” that Zaccheaus has Caleb Williams’ trust. The Bears’ team-released unofficial depth chart notably shows the team in 12 personnel (two WRs, two TEs, one RB), with DJ Moore and Rome Odunze listed as the two starters. Burden’s raw talent is not in question but Zaccheaus’ presence, coupled with the Bears’ potential 12 personnel reliance, is muddying his path to early-season playing time. Producing a standout showing in the team’s preseason Week 2 game against the Bills would be very helpful for Burden.