Bears QB Justin Fields leaves door open to play with separated shoulder
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields sustained and played through a reported dislocated shoulder during Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Wednesday, the Bears conducted a walkthrough practice and cleared him to participate.
“The estimation is that he would be limited in practice,” head coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday morning. “We’ll assess that as we go through the week. He’s feeling pretty good and we’ll see where it goes from there day to day.”
Justin Fields remains day-to-day, but has been cleared to practice pic.twitter.com/DEtdGS2zM2
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 23, 2022
After the practice, Fields said his understanding of the injury is a "separated shoulder, partially torn ligament. Basically an AC Joint.”
He rated the pain level as “pretty high,” saying he felt it on every throw.
Still, he left the door open to taking the field in Sunday’s Week 12 matchup with the New York Jets, noting that if the game was today, he probably wouldn’t play.
“Good thing we don’t play today,” he said.
Justin Fields’ breakout season
With a 3-8 record, it’s surprising that Fields playing injured is even an option, but the hope for his quick return is understandable. The second-year quarterback has had a statement season, establishing himself as the NFL’s fifth-leading rusher and boasting 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions while averaging 149.3 yards passing yards per game in 2022.
After throwing for seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a rookie, the cleats Fields wore to rush for 178 yards on Nov. 6 against Miami and set the record for most quarterback rushing yards in a game are now on display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
While his breakout has benefitted the Bears' offense, he leads the league in sacks taken with 40 for a loss of 238 yards.
If Fields does sit, fifth-year quarterback Trevor Siemian will start in his absence. This is the 30-year-old's first year in Chicago after passing for 1,154 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions in six appearances with the New Orleans Saints last year.