EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Bears quarterback Justin Fields won’t play Sunday against the Jets after the team listed him as inactive with a left shoulder injury. Trevor Siemian will make his first start as member of the Bears.
Fields warmed up for about 15 minutes with the Bears’ other two quarterbacks before the 10:30 a.m. inactive deadline. He threw passes to receivers and ran between the goal line and 40-yard line and MetLife Stadium. Wearing a hooded sweatshirt, Fields did not appear to be in obvious pain.
Nathan Peterman was promoted from the practice squad Saturday and will be the backup.
Fields separated his left shoulder and suffered ligament damage on a fourth-quarter hit by the Falcons a week ago. He was limited in practice all week and ruled questionable for the Jets game.
Head coach Matt Eberflus offered little detail about his plans for Fields, other than to say that he needed to be cleared by doctors, feel ready to play and get the blessing of the coaching staff. Fields’ participation seemed unlikely all week — he’s the team’s best asset and the 3-8 Bears have already been eliminated from NFC North contention. Were the season to end today, they’d draft third overall.
Siemian, a Northwestern alum, lost all four starts with the Saints last year but won two games in relief. He completed 108 of 188 passes for 1,154 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions last year. Siemian completed his only pass for the Bears earlier this season.
The Bears offense figures to look more conventional — and pass-happy — with Siemian under center.
“You do have to have plays that are for Justin … and then you have to have ones designed for the backup,” Eberflus said Friday. “But it’s not a huge range. Obviously our offense is our offense. There’s certain things that Justin does and we’ve added since the mini-bye. It’ll just be our offense.”
Despite being the NFL’s leading rushing quarterback on an offense that ranks last in the NFL in passes, Fields had amazingly never missed a snap this season because of injury until Sunday. He started only 10 games last year, limited by injuries to his ribs and ankle, and a positive coronavirus test.
The Bears don’t plan on putting Fields on injured reserve, but it they might not be incentivized to rush him back for next week’s rivalry game. They host the Packers before having a bye, followed by the last four games of the regular season.
Cornerback Kyler Gordon, safety Jaquan Brisker and linebacker Sterling Weatherford were all previously ruled out with concussions. Receiver N’Keal Harry and offensive linemen Alex Leatherwood and Ja’Tyre Carter are healthy scratches.
