GREEN BAY, Wis. (670 The Score) – With the Bears at the Packers' 48-yard line and looking to drive for the tying score with less than 10 minutes remaining Sunday, quarterback Justin Fields ran to his right, slid to give himself up and took a big hit from Packers safety Jonathan Owens.
No penalty flag was thrown for a hit that resulted in Fields' head slamming to the turf, and Fields was removed from the game a two plays later after an independent neurologist called for a concussion examination. Fields was quickly cleared and returned after missing just one play, but he was frustrated by the non-call and the circumstances of it all.
"Y'all see it," Fields said following the Bears' 17-9 loss to the Packers. "I just don't understand. I got to come out two plays after a play for a potential head injury that I slid on. So, it's like, at what point – I don't even know how to answer it because I don't want to get fined in any kind of way.
"The fact that I had to come out two plays later for a play that I slid on speaks for itself."
League personnel who publicly criticize game officials are subject to fines.
Backup quarterback Nathan Peterman replaced Fields for one play, a first-and-10 situation on which Bears running back Roschon Johnson rushed for four yards.
Over his three NFL seasons, Fields and the Bears have publicly pleaded for him to get protection against late hits. As a frequent rusher, he's more prone to taking hits – and sometimes late hits – than other quarterbacks in the league. Fields has even met with officials pregame and asked for them to keep a close eye out for potential late hits.
On Sunday, Fields was 11-of-16 for 148 yards while rushing eight times for 27 yards. He was also sacked five times behind an offensive line that struggled, and the Bears' offense totaled just 192 yards against the Packers. Chicago failed to reach the end zone and never got closer than Green Bay's 17-yard line all game. Kicker Cairo Santos scored the team's lone points with three field goals.
The Bears finished 7-10 this season. A key decision now looms at quarterback as Chicago must decide between investing around Fields or selecting his replacement as the Bears hold the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
