LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- On a run in the first quarter Sunday, Bears quarterback Justin Fields took a blow to the head from Eagles defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh while sliding to give himself up and end the play.
Fields got up and looked around for a penalty flag, pleading his case for a personal foul on Suh. He didn't get the call, the continuation of a trend that has occurred early in Fields' career. The 23-year-old Fields would like officials to better protect him from late hits.
"It's been like too many times this year where I felt like I've gotten hit late or something like that and there's been no flag," Fields said Tuesday. "So, I mean, I'm going to be on the refs looking for a call. But when I think it's a flag, I'm going to ask the ref and on Sunday he said he didn't think it was a foul. Yeah, I'm going to be begging for those calls and just hope I get one in the near future."
Fields has rushed 143 times for 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games this season, becoming the third quarterback in NFL history to reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark. But with that heavy workload in the running game has come an increased concern for Fields' health and an increased need for protection.
In an effort to avoid taking hits, Fields has put an extra emphasis on sliding. But Fields stands at 6-foot-3 and 228 pounds with top-flight speed, which can make it difficult for defenders to halt their pursuit and momentum at the last second.
Even so, with an emphasis from the NFL on protecting quarterbacks, Fields and the Bears are hopeful for better treatment.
"I mean, that's the franchise quarterback," Bears coach Matt Eberflus said. "That's a big issue, always. We're always looking to protect him and do a better job of that."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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