One of the biggest breakout players in the NFL this year has been Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. However, the dual-threat quarterback suffered a major setback on Sunday with a left shoulder injury on the final drive of the Bears’ 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus gave an update on Fields’ status moving forward, confusing many by saying that Fields is “day-to-day” but also stating that this injury could potentially end the second-year quarterback’s season.
It’s unclear what exactly is Fields’ official injury diagnosis is at this point.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted on Monday that Fields suffered a left shoulder dislocation.
#Bears QB Justin Fields suffered a left shoulder dislocation, sources say, a painful injury he somehow played through on Sunday. Coach Matt Eberflus described Fields as “day-to-day.” His status for this Sunday is still to be determined.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 21, 2022
However, a few hours later, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday Night Football that Fields’ injury is not a dislocated shoulder.
Adam Schefter: "Justin Fields day-to-day with a left shoulder injury that I'm told is *not* a dislocated shoulder." #Bears pic.twitter.com/HGhK2Ay8M3
— Matt Clapp (@DaBearNecess) November 22, 2022
It’s always hard to decipher who’s right when two respected sources like Rapoport and Schefter have differing reports.
The Bears are 3-8 and are essentially eliminated — FiveThirtyEight gives them a 0.2% chance — from the NFC playoff race already.
However, there are certainly many fantasy football managers that would love for Fields to make a quick recovery.
Fields has been a fantasy football star this season, currently ranked as the fourth-best quarterback in the NFL in fantasy points (and particularly incredible over the last two months).
So, Fields definitely has a left shoulder injury that has his Week 12 status in question, but the specifics and severity of the injury are still unclear.