Justin Fields felt higher Wednesday than he did per week in the past as he continues his restoration from a separated left shoulder.
But the Chicago Bears quarterback stated he received’t absolutely know if he’s able to play Sunday in opposition to the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field till he will get by extra practices.
Fields once more was limited at the first Bears practice of the week, held contained in the Walter Payton Center due to excessive winds in Lake Forest. In the portion of the observe open to the media, he ran by ball safety drills holding the soccer along with his left arm and threw a number of instances on the transfer.
Last week, he stated he felt ache handing the ball off and ending his throws. He spoke earlier than observe Wednesday however indicated he must get to a degree the place he appears like he may be productive whereas enjoying by the discomfort.
“There’s (only) a few people in this league that are quote-unquote 100% (in Week 13),” Fields stated. “So I’m just going to go out there and if I feel like I can help my team win, help my team score and put points on the board, then I’m going to go out there and play. So we’ll just see how practice goes today and see how I feel.”
Fields stated he thought he had an opportunity to play in opposition to the New York Jets in Week 12 however didn’t really feel snug sufficient in warmups. Bears coach Matt Eberflus stated Fields additionally didn’t have medical clearance or the OK of coaches or common supervisor Ryan Poles.
“It was basically just seeing how I felt throwing the ball, throwing on the run … just seeing how I felt throughout warmups,” Fields stated.
The Bears quarterback scenario is in such a state of flux that the group had to herald a fourth-string possibility, signing Tim Boyle off the Detroit Lions observe squad.
Trevor Siemian, who injured his indirect earlier than Sunday’s loss to the Jets however performed by the damage, didn’t observe Wednesday. Third-string quarterback Nathan Peterman, who briefly was slated to start out in opposition to the Jets if Siemian didn’t play, was anticipated to take some group reps Wednesday and ought to be in line to start out if Fields and Siemian can’t play.
Peterman was a Buffalo Bills’ fifth-round choose in 2017 and has 4 profession begins, his final in 2018. He threw three interceptions in a Bears’ 41-9 victory in that sport.
Eberflus stated they introduced in Boyle as a “precaution to make sure we’re covering all of our bases.”
Boyle and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy labored collectively for 2 seasons with the Packers in 2019-20 earlier than Boyle moved to the Lions. Boyle began the primary three video games of his profession final yr, finishing 61 of 94 passes for 526 yards, three touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
The Bears have a bye in Week 14, so Fields would have further time to heal if he doesn’t play Sunday. But Eberflus stated that isn’t a consider figuring out his sport standing this week.
“If he feels really comfortable and feels great and his mobility and strength’s back for the medical staff and then the GM and head coach look at it and say, ‘Hey, green light,’ then it’s a green light,” Eberflus stated. “So we’ll see it during the course of the week. (It’s) day to day for this week.”
If Fields does play, Eberflus acknowledged the Bears must look at the sport plan to ensure they put him able the place he can shield himself.
“We’ve always got to be protective of the quarterback,” Eberflus stated. “We’ve got to keep him safe. He’s got to keep himself out of harm’s way. The situation this week is no different. Certainly we look at all that every single week. That’s our quarterback. We want to make sure he’s safe.”
Fields — or any quarterback that begins — may have the problem this week of enjoying with out large receiver Darnell Mooney, who went on injured reserve with a season-ending ankle damage Tuesday. Mooney was one among Fields’ favourite targets, and Fields stated it was powerful to lose him as a participant and a frontrunner.
But Fields additionally stated he’s trying ahead to seeing what different gamers can do.
“I don’t think it’s a challenge actually. I think it’s an opportunity,” Fields stated. “I’m excited to build that connection more with other receivers on the team. So it’s going to be fun finding out what different guys can do because in our offense we usually game plan on certain routes what Darnell could do. But it’s going to be fun figuring out what other guys can do out there and just getting together with them.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com