Justin Fields followed a full participation practice on Thursday with another on Friday.
And with that, Fields is off the injury report with no injury designation for this Sunday’s upcoming game against the Packers.
In other words, the Chicago Bears believe their QB1 is good to go and FIelds is all set to start at Soldier Field in the latest installment of the NFL’s longest-running active rivalry.
Giggity.
Fields suffered a shoulder injury late in the Bears’ Week 11 loss to the Falcons. After practicing with limitations throughout the following week, Fields tested his body before the team’s Week 12 game against the Jets. But because Fields didn’t feel right, he didn’t gain medical clearance or the OK from coaches to play. Hence, he missed the game and the Bears were blown out of MetLife Stadium. But considering the pile of injuries that happened elsewhere throughout the team during that game, it was probably for the best. And now, after putting together consecutive full practices, Fields is in line to start against the Packers. I can’t say that I saw this coming, but I’m not mad about it.
As for the rest of the injury report, it is a bit of a bummer:
Rookie defensive backs Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker are out. So is Fields’ backup Trevor Siemian, who gutted out last week’s game with an oblique injury that is serious enough to take him out of action this week. Offensive lineman Larry Borom, while fellow lineman Riley Reiff is questionable due to a back issue. Is it going to be Alex Leatherwood time?
Joining Fields with full participation are receivers Chase Claypool (who is lining up to get a larger share of the targets with Darnell Mooney out) and Dante Pettis. Linebacker Sterling Weatherford is out of concussion, had three full practices, and also has no injury designation. This means he is good to go.
In the end, what matters most here is FIelds. Not necessarily that he will play. But that a shoulder injury that was so problematic at this time last week is healthy enough to be a full participant in practice this week is welcome news. Because Fields’ health is of the utmost importance. I don’t think the Bears are throwing him out there willy nilly if he isn’t fully healthy. That would be malpractice. And I think it is the last thing a rebuilding team wants to happen.