Justin Fields Injury Updates | Shark Bites

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Bears are finalizing a deal to make Shane Waldron their new OC. Waldron spent the past three seasons as Seattle's OC, finding particular success in passing efficiency. The Seahawks finished those years ranked ninth, ninth, and sixth in pass-offense DVOA. That span covered QB Russell Wilson's injury-interrupted final Seattle campaign and then QB Geno Smith's first two as starter. The Seahawks also increased their passing rate the past two years vs. Waldron's first in town. We'll see what the Bears do at QB this offseason. If Justin Fields remains at the 2024 helm, we wouldn't bet on a pass-heavy approach -- though we wouldn't be surprised to see at least a bit more of a lean in that direction. Chicago, of course, owns the No. 1 NFL Draft pick (from the Panthers), though, and could select USC's Caleb Williams. That move could signal a new era of Chicago passing. The uncertainty for both players is likely to make Fields and Williams intriguing values in early best ball drafting.

Bears QB Justin Fields completed 20 of 38 passes for 268 yards and a TD in Sunday’s win vs. the Falcons. He also ran for a score and tallied 45 rushing yards on 11 carries in the contest. Though he missed 4 games due to a thumb injury, Fields ranks second among QBs in rushing yards (630) through Week 17 and helped fantasy managers with seven top-12 weekly finishes in four-point per passing TD scoring in that span. It’s evident that he can be a difference-making player, but the largest question looming over him this offseason is still whether or not he’ll be the Bears’ QB in next season. Chicago holds the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and could opt to either part ways with Fields or continue to build the offense around him. It’s reasonable to view him as a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in dynasty at this stage, though we’ll be anxiously awaiting clarity surrounding his future. Where he suits up next year will have a sizable influence on how he’s viewed moving forward.

Bears QB Justin Fields made his return from a thumb injury in Week 11 vs. Detroit. He instantly paid off for fantasy managers, posting 169-1 passing and 104 rushing yards on 18(!) attempts. (Those 18 attempts matched a career-high.) His lone score came on a beautiful deep ball to D.J. Moore, who led the team with 9 targets, 7 catches, and 96 yards. Week 12 turns up a neutral matchup vs. the Vikings, followed by a Week 13 bye. Fields will be a no-doubt QB1 down the stretch, especially for matchups with Detroit (Week 14), Arizona (Week 16) and Atlanta (Week 17).

Bears QB Justin Fields (thumb) put in a full week of practice and isn’t listed on the final Week 11 injury report. He’ll be back for Sunday’s game against the Lions after missing the past four. Fields carries elevated risk coming off the throwing-thumb injury. But the full practices are encouraging. And, of course, Fields derives much of his fantasy value from his rushing production. See where he sits in the Week 11 QB Rankings.

Bears QB Justin Fields (thumb) is expected to return for Sunday's game vs. the Lions, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Fields has been out since hurting his right thumb in Week 6. As long as he proves he's regained enough grip strength in practice this week, per Rapoport, he'll be cleared to return. Fields posted massive 335-4-1 and 282-4-0 passing lines in his last two healthy games -- although they came in superb matchups against the Broncos and Commanders. He's also remained a major contributor on the ground, averaging 7.8 carries and 39.5 rushing yards per game. Fields will be a risk/reward Week 11 fantasy play coming off the throwing-thumb injury. See where he sits in the Week 11 Rankings.

Bears QB Justin Fields is doubtful for Thursday night's game against the Panthers with his right thumb injury. He continued limited practice participation this week after returning to that level last Friday. We'll see whether he can take the next step and return to game action in Week 11. QB Tyson Bagent will get his fourth straight start against Carolina. His presence has meant shorter passing than what the Bears have done with Fields this year. But the rookie has also completed passes at a higher rate (67.3% vs. 61.7%). The switch has lowered the fantasy ceiling for WR D.J. Moore and produced a lower passing-TD rate. But it otherwise doesn't seem to be negatively impacting the Chicago passing game.

Bears HC Matt Eberflus said in a Monday radio appearance that QB Tyson Bagent will start this weekend's game vs. the Saints. QB Justin Fields remains "week-to-week" with his thumb injury, Eberflus said. The fact that Fields is being ruled out on a Monday doesn't bode particularly well for his chances of returning in Week 10. We'll continue to track his recovery.

Bears HC Matt Eberflus said Monday that QB Justin Fields is doubtful for Sunday night's game against the Chargers because of his right thumb injury. That would mean a second straight start for undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent. The backup performed solidly in the win over the Raiders. But it's also worth noting that Chicago catered the game plan to him. Bagent's 2.1 air yards per attempt in that game marks the shortest average depth for any qualifying QB game this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That's obviously not a knock on the player or the game plan. Just a reminder to keep your expectations in check for Bagent's stat line in Week 8.

NFL Network reports that Bears QB Justin Fields' thumb injury is "considered to be a two-to-three week injury -- though one source said Fields already is regaining grip strength and shouldn't be entirely ruled out for next week against the Chargers." The Bears did not place Fields on IR, which means that they expect him back before Week 11. It sounds like Week 9 or 10 is his most likely return date. We'll keep you updated on his progress.

Bears QB Justin Fields suffered an apparent right hand injury in the third quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Vikings. He headed back to the locker room with trainers. Stay tuned for an update.

Update: Fields has been ruled out with a hand injury.

The Bears signed TE Robert Tonyan to a 1-year deal. Tonyan spiked for an 11-TD season in 2020 but tore an ACL midway through the 2021 campaign. He made it back for the start of this past season but was barely fantasy relevant, finishing with 53 catches, 470 yards and 2 TDs. Tonyan ranked 29th among 32 qualifying TEs in Pro Football Focus' receiving grades. Perhaps he bounces back in 2023, another year removed from that knee injury. But Tonyan figures to slot in as Chicago's #2 TE as long as Cole Kmet is healthy. Consider Tonyan no more than a TE3 in early fantasy drafts.

Bears QB Justin Fields will miss Week 18 with a hip injury. Per HC Matt Eberflus, an MRI showed a hip strain for the young QB. In his place, Chicago will roll out Nathan Peterman. The 28-year-old owns a career completion rate of 52.5% on 141 attempts. The Vikings defense figures to be a chalky option in DFS formats.

Bears QB Justin Fields gets an Eagles defense that has allowed the league's 2nd-fewest QB points for the season and arrives as the 4th-worst scoring matchup for the position by our adjusted fantasy points allowed. But Philly has allowed the league's 12th most rushing yards to QBs despite facing the fewest QB carries for the year. That bodes well for Fields' floor. He's also off the injury report for the 1st time since hurting his shoulder in Week 11. That should help the QB's designed runs. Fields had just 1 his last time out. His previous 2 games (the 2nd of which was his injury game) found the QB getting 8 designed runs each time, according to Pro Football Focus.

Bears QB Justin Fields isn’t listed on the final Week 15 injury report. He missed Wednesday with an illness but put in full practices on Thursday and Friday. Most importantly, that shoulder that he hurt back in Week 11 is no longer on the injury report. So Fields should be a full-go vs. the Eagles on Sunday.

Bears QB Justin Fields missed Wednesday's practice with an illness. The good news: That shoulder is no longer listed on the injury report. So, assuming he gets over that illness by Sunday, Fields should be a full-go vs. the Eagles.

Bears QB Justin Fields delivered a 55-yard TD run among 6 carries for 71 yards in Sunday's loss to the Packers, his return after a game lost to a shoulder injury. Fields also completed 20 of 25 passes for 254 yards, but he also tossed a pair of INTs. Fields and the Bears get a Week 14 bye before facing the Eagles, Bills and Lions in the final 3 weeks for most fantasy football leagues.

Bears QB Justin Fields (shoulder) is not listed on the final Week 13 injury report after getting in full practices on Thursday and Friday. He’ll be back under center vs. the Packers this weekend. Fields carries elevated risk playing through this left shoulder injury, but we know all about the upside – especially against a Green Bay defense that just coughed up 157 rushing yards to Eagles QB Jalen Hurts.

Bears QB Justin Fields (shoulder) remained limited in Thursday's practice. We'll see what he does tomorrow and how he's listed on the final injury report for this weekend's game vs. the Jets.

Bears QB Justin Fields told reporters on Wednesday that he's dealing with a separated left shoulder with partially torn ligaments, per ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "Basically an AC joint" injury, Fields added. He's reportedly been cleared to practice, and considering he was allowed to speak to the media, Fields seems likely to start vs. the Jets on Sunday. The question is whether the shoulder injury will limit his rushing volume and/or efficiency.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Bears QB Justin Fields did not dislocate his left shoulder Sunday, contrary to what NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported earlier Monday. As we mentioned before, HC Matt Eberflus called his QB "day to day." We'll see what this week reveals about Fields' status for Sunday and beyond.