LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Bears quarterback Justin Fields returned to practice Wednesday afternoon at Halas Hall as he deals with a left shoulder injury, but his status for Chicago's game at the New York Jets on Sunday remains uncertain.
After the team released few details, Fields revealed that he has a separated left shoulder and partially torn ligaments. He was listed as a limited participant on the injury report Wednesday, one that was an estimate of participation because the team conducted a walk-through, coach Matt Eberflus said.
Fields was medically cleared for practice, but no decision has been made as to whether he'll play Sunday, Eberflus said.
“We’ll assess that as we go through the week,” Eberflus said. “He’s feeling pretty good. We’ll see where it goes from there. (He’s) day-to-day.
“How he’s feeling. How he’s feeling when he’s moving, when he’s throwing, and when he’s just going about his business of operating as a quarterback.”
Fields suffered the left shoulder injury on the Bears’ final drive of their 27-24 loss to the Falcons on Sunday in Atlanta, taking a hit as he moved out of bounds on a designed run. He underwent further examinations following the game.
While Fields hopes to play Sunday, he recognized the importance of avoiding long-term risk by reaggravating the injury.
"I’m not going to sacrifice playing in this game for me risking that I might not be able to play later in games," Fields said. "I’m not going to have to sacrifice playing in this game and now I get hurt and I have to sit out two or three more weeks after that.
"I'm just seeing how my body feels, listening to my body and making sure I’m not forcing anything and stuff like that. Just seeing how it goes."
The Bears won't place Fields on injured reserve, but Eberflus acknowledged the heightened risk he faces if he tries to play through injury.
"If we ever feel that a player is going to go out there and harm himself, obviously, we’re going to err on the side of caution, for sure," Eberflus said. "We’re not going to put a guy out there in harm's way, and he doesn’t feel good about it for sure. We want to do what’s best for the organization but also what’s best for the player."
The 23-year-old Fields has completed 59.6% of his passes for 1,642 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, adding 122 carries for 834 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
If Fields is unable to play, the Bears will turn to backup Trevor Siemian as their starter against the Jets.
Siemian, 31, is playing his eighth NFL season after signing a two-year deal with the Bears in March. He has played in 34 career games and started 29, completing 58.9% of his passes for 6,848 yards, 41 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. Siemian’s career includes one game played with the Jets in 2019, one in which he suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
The Jets announced Wednesday that second-year quarterback Zach Wilson would be benched and inactive against the Bears on Sunday. Mike White will start at quarterback, with Joe Flacco serving as the backup.
Wilson, 23, was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Bears selected Fields as the fourth quarterback off the board nine picks later.
The Bears (3-8) and Jets (6-4) kick off at noon CT on Sunday from MetLife Stadium.
Injury report
Bears safety Jaquan Brisker, cornerback Kyler Gordon and linebacker Sterling Weatherford are in the concussion protocol. Guard Teven Jenkins (hip) and safety Dane Cruikshank (hamstring) practiced in full Wednesday.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
Listen live to 670 The Score via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker