For these desperately looking for positives from the Chicago Bears’ newest loss — a 19-13 clunker in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field — the Sunday X-rays taken on quarterback Justin Fields’ throwing hand got here again destructive.
So there’s that, proper?
No damaged bones. No excessive dread that Fields’ availability for the remainder of the season could possibly be in jeopardy.
In truth, Bears coach Matt Eberflus stated Fields expressed a want to return after he landed humorous on his proper hand whereas taking a third-quarter sack. Fields first went to the bench grimacing, then retreated to the blue medical tent on the sideline, then went again towards the locker room for these in-stadium X-rays.
Fields wished again in. “He just couldn’t grip the ball to throw it,” Eberflus stated.
Thus, the quarterback’s day was carried out. And finally so had been the Bears, fizzling once more on a possible game-winning drive within the fourth quarter. (This time it was rookie Tyson Bagent throwing a loss-sealing interception.)
But now what? How can this dispirited and banged-up group proceed to choose itself up throughout a season that retains swinging at them with such ferocity? Now they’ve elevated quarterback uncertainty to type by means of, too? Man oh man.
By sunset Sunday, it positive felt like issues for the Bears had turn out to be exponentially extra sophisticated and considerably extra bleak. Is this metropolis once more veering right into a heated and convoluted quarterback dialog on which route they should go subsequent?
Will the load of all this shedding finally break this staff’s spirit?
Is there something in any respect that appears solidly in place proper now?
Still, Fields’ Sunday X-rays didn’t reveal any fracture in his proper hand. And the hope, in fact, is the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan he’ll have Monday brings again equally encouraging information. So there’s that, proper?
Beyond that, there’s not a lot sunshine peaking by means of the storm clouds for these 1-5 Bears, whose Soldier Field shedding streak hit 10 video games whereas their NFC North skid climbed to 11 on Sunday.
So a lot for the momentum the Bears appeared to have coming off a 20-point street win over the Washington Commanders in Week 5. So a lot for the offensive surge within the earlier two video games through which the factors (68) and Fields’ passing yardage (617) piled up at such an un-Bears-like clip.
Instead, even earlier than Fields was injured Sunday, the offense was once more again in a well-recognized wheeze, managing simply six factors and 40 web passing yards over the primary seven possessions.
Fields’ numbers: 6-for-10 for 58 yards plus a second-quarter interception on which he was drilled by Vikings defensive finish Danielle Hunter as he tried to hunt a double-move deep shot to DJ Moore. (Overall, Fields solely discovered Moore as soon as for a ho-hum 7-yard completion within the first quarter.)
Just like that, the Bears’ October offensive groove shortly grew to become a rut.
Fields was additionally sacked 4 occasions, together with a 5-yard loss on the play throughout which he was damage. That sequence was an ideal storm of misfortune with Fields holding the ball too lengthy and struggling to create house within the pocket amid stress. He was hit by Hunter greater than 6 seconds after the snap then broke his fall with each palms after making an attempt to throw the ball away.
Just like that, Fields’ day was carried out along with his standing for the long run — each short- and long-term — once more thrown into flux. “We’ll see where he is going forward,” Eberflus stated.
To Bagent’s credit score, he dealt with his NFL common season debut along with his trademark poise.
“His demeanor was great,” Eberflus stated. “He’s always great.”
Added operating again D’Onta Foreman: “We have a lot of trust in Tyson. It’s his poise, his calmness, the way he commands the huddle and gets everybody on the right page. He’s just a quarterback, man.”
But as Bagent realized the laborious means Sunday, the allure of being a plucky undrafted rookie out of Division II Shepherd University solely lasts so lengthy. Like, say, three snaps, which is how lengthy it took earlier than he was stripped of the soccer within the pocket by Vikings security Josh Metellus with linebacker Jordan Hicks returning the fumble 42 yards for a landing.
That miscue put the Vikings forward 19-6 and accountable for a clunky sport between two struggling groups making an attempt to out-miserable one another.
Bagent aided a 77-yard landing drive a short time later, scoring on a 1-yard QB sneak with 7:46 remaining to present the Bears new vitality.
“We had a lot of life,” Foreman stated. “Still in it. Even with all the ups and downs that had happened in that game, we still had a chance to win it.”
But then, with an opportunity to put in writing a heartening new chapter to his underdog story, Bagent missed Moore by 8-10 yards on a deep shot up the left sideline that fluttered proper into the grateful arms of Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr.
“That’s just a result of me underthrowing the ball,” Bagent stated. “I’ve got to give my guy a chance.”
That shot play appeared to be organising so properly, too. First down from the Vikings 35-yard line.
“DJ Moore. One of the best receivers in the world. One-on-one,” Bagent stated.
So the rookie shot his shot. He simply couldn’t get sufficient on it. Because in fact.
“That’s on me,” Bagent stated. “I’ve got to fix it going forward.”
Who is aware of? Maybe Bagent will get his first NFL begin in Week 7 in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders. Perhaps he’ll be wanted for the foreseeable future if Fields’ hand harm retains him out for a sport or two and even longer. If so, teammates are vowing to have his again.
“We have to give him confidence,” security Jaquan Brisker stated. “And defensively, we have to get stops and get turnovers.”
Added linebacker T.J. Edwards: “Whoever is out there, we’re going to continue to be a confident group. That’s how you have to play. Nothing can change for us in that aspect whatsoever.”
Or possibly Fields will heal shortly, be cleared to return to follow this week and proceed his all-important “franchise quarterback” take a look at, the outcomes of which can decide quite a bit concerning the Bears’ future.
Fields’ X-rays had been destructive Sunday. So there’s that.
Eventually, although, the Bears are going to want extra — a lot extra — than simply some hopeful harm information to create any kind of significant route.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com