Justin Fields Practicing Today is “An Exciting Sign” — But Should He Play?

The first positive sign that Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields could play this Sunday came today, Thursday, when the injury report had him as a full participant in practice.

Now, the ball is rolling toward Fields’ potential return to the starting lineup.

And for what it’s worth, the words his teammates are using make it seem plausible that Fields’ return is imminent. As in, Fields might actually be playing this weekend against the Green Bay Packers.

Gosh! It really feels as if thre is a realistic chance that Fields will play this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. I can’t say I saw that coming after Fields missed last Sunday’s game against the Jets and wasn’t practicing to start the week.

Remember the boxes Fields needs to check before he can play on Sunday that were discussed earlier in the week:

  • Medical clearance from the staff, which seems like the most important hurdle. And one he might’ve cleared with his full participation in Thursday’s practice. Even still … I’d feel better about it if Fields could piece together consecutive “full” practices. I’d feel best if he had been a full participant all week, but that ship sailed when he opened the week as limited.
  • Clearance from Fields himself, which is another key hurdle. Fields needs to be able to express to the coaches and medical staff that he can give it a full go. He was unable to do so last week. Hence, he didn’t get medical clearance. And in the end, didn’t play.
  • And finally, clearance from the coaching staff. I don’t imagine this staff would force Fields into a game in which he didn’t get clearance from the medical staff and an OK from Fields. That’s just not how any of this works. If even one of those prior steps doesn’t come through, I can’t imagine Fields playing.
  • To be honest, that Fields has a chance to play on Sunday excites me. Fields and his play since the mini-bye have been *THE* reason to tune in and watch Bears football. And the future could be bright with a healthy Fields leading a re-vamped Bears team. But how healthy is Fields? I think we’ll get a better sense of that tomorrow after another practice and if he has a designation next to his name after the final injury report. Stay tuned.

    written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

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