If you were hoping for Justin Fields to show a sign of progress via participation in practice on Wednesday’s injury report, I’m sorry to bust your bubble.
Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus told reporters that Fields would start the practice week as a limited participant because of the shoulder injury he is dealing with for a second straight week:
Fields suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder (which he calls a separation with “partially torn ligaments” and “basically an AC joint”) during the final drive of the Bears’ Week 11 loss to the Falcons. His participation was limited in practice leading up to the team’s Week 12 game against the Jets, which might as well have been a precursor to Fields not playing against New York. Placement on injured reserve was ruled out last week by Coach Eberflus. And it doesn’t seem like this is going to be a season-ending injury for Fields. But it is evident that (1) the injury is real, (2) the Bears plan on taking their time in nursing FIelds back to health, and (3) Fields himself isn’t quite right.
But if it is any consolation, Fields says he is feeling better:
Feeling better is an important first step for Fields. But there is no good reason to play him until he is fully healthy. Fields is the best and most important player the Bears have going for their rebuilding project. And he plays the game’s most important position. They must exercise every bit of precautionary fiber they have in their souls before putting Fields back in harm’s way.
Perhaps, with that in mind, the Bears signed Tim Boyle off the Lions practice squad and onto their active roster. With Fields and Trevor Siemian nursing injuries, it would leave Nathan Peterman as the team’s only healthy quarterback. So, yeah, I’d consider that transaction to be a necessary one.
You can watch Coach Eberflus’ entire press conference here: