Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus provided a health update on quarterback Justin Fields during a press conference on Wednesday, and it was strange, to say the least.
Eberflus said that Fields had not been medically cleared to play in the Bears’ Thursday night matchup with the Carolina Panthers and proceeded to say he was listed as doubtful. When asked why he wasn’t merely listed as out, Eberflus said Chicago wants to give him one more day.
Whatever that means.
When pressed about Fields’ status, Eberflus danced around the subject, again saying he is doubtful, but also saying he’s not palying.
Eberflus also didn’t give a straight answer on exactly why the medical staff had not yet cleared Fields.
On top of everything, Eberflus said there is a “51 percent chance if he’s in or out.”
I guess the good news is that Matt Eberflus said Fields is progressing and that he will go through some pregame stuff prior to the contest on Thursday evening.
Fields dislocated his thumb back in Week 6 and has been sidelined ever since. In the two games prior to going down, Fields was showing signs of breaking out, compiling eight touchdowns and just one interception over those couple of weeks.
On the season overall, the 24-year-old has thrown for 1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns and six picks while completing 61.7 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 91.6.
Fields, who played his collegiate football at Ohio State, was selected by the Bears with the 11th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
It has not been an easy ride for Fields since entering the league, as he has gone just 6-25 as a starter. However, he appeared to be turning a corner before his injury, so perhaps Fields will establish himself as Chicago’s quarterback of the future once he gets back on the field.
The Bears are 2-7 heading into their clash with the Panthers.
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