Bears QB Justin Fields could play Sunday vs. Packers; Trevor Siemian out for season with injury

The Bears could have starting quarterback Justin Fields back when they host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Here’s what you need to know:

• Fields was a full participant in practice Friday and had no injury designation.
• Fields suffered a separated left shoulder and torn ligaments against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 20.
• Backup Trevor Siemian started in place of Fields last Sunday, but Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Friday that Siemian will undergo surgery on his oblique and will be out for the rest of the season.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus said that Trevor Siemian will undergo surgery on his oblique. He will be out for the rest of the season,

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) December 2, 2022

Backstory

Fields had been on a tear in the second half of the season, including rushing for an NFL quarterback-record 178 yards in Week 9 against the Dolphins, prior to his injury.

He’s thrown for 1,642 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season in addition to rushing for 834 yards and seven touchdowns.

Fields was expected to be limited all week in practice. His coaches said as much. But something changed during practice Thursday at Halas Hall. Eberflus described it simply as “progress.”

“First and foremost, our first priority is player safety. No. 1,” Eberflus said. “So right now, he feels and we feel that the mobility and strength is there for him to protect himself, and he feels like he’s 100 percent ready to go.”

What they’re saying

Eberflus said Friday that Fields “feels good” and he will get the “green light” if he stays on this path.

“We certainly missed him last week,” Eberflus said.

Shutting down Fields for the season was never an option for the Bears. They want him to play and develop through those experiences. But there is certainly some risk with starting Fields just two weeks after he separated his shoulder. The Bears’ game plan for him could change because of it, starting with fewer designed runs.

Fields’ willingness to play through injuries has been endearing.

“He’s shown grit and toughness throughout the whole year,” Eberflus said. “His ability to come back this fast through injury and to go out there and play is a big boost for our offense, and it shows the kind of guys that we want. We want guys that are tough, that are physical, and again, he’s been medically cleared to play. He’s 100 percent. Going forward, we’ll see where it goes. Hopefully, it keeps trending that way and go from there.” — Adam Jahns

Required reading

• Bears QB Justin Fields is feeling better, but will he play against the Packers?
• Bears’ Darnell Mooney out rest of season with ankle injury: How will Chicago replace him at WR?
• Should the Bears trade back in the NFL Draft? Mailbag plus Week 13 picks

(Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)