QB Fields listed as questionable for Sunday
Ex-NU signal-caller Siemian says he’ll be ‘ready to go’ if needed
The Bears are hoping to carry a decision on the status of quarterback Justin Fields until kickoff Sunday against the New York Jets.
Fields is questionable for the game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., after being limited on the injury report all week. He suffered a separated left shoulder with ligament damage Sunday in a road loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
If he cannot go, Trevor Siemian will replace him.
“We’ll see where it goes,” coach Matt Eberflus said Friday at Halas Hall. “It’s really a three-prong effect.
“It’s really more about the medical staff clearing him all the way into that status, him feeling really good about his performance being able to go out there and then as coaches assessing where he is throughout the week of practice.”
The Bears will hold a walkthrough Saturday morning before traveling to New Jersey, so it’s possible they could evaluate Fields and see how he is doing Sunday morning. Two sources said they believe there is a high likelihood Siemian will start as the Bears (3-8) try to avoid a five-game losing streak for the third consecutive season. The scenario of Siemian starting would not come as a surprise given the organization doesn’t want to see Fields suffer further injury during a season in which he has shown promise.
Fields injured his non-throwing shoulder when he was tripped up near the sideline by Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford. Fields landed on his left shoulder and remained in the game for the final two offensive plays.
Eberflus said Fields continues to improve, and the best news came earlier in the week when the coach said the injury would not require