Is Justin Fields sick? People are worried about if the Chicago Bears quarterback is playing tonight after his week break of injury.
The Chicago Bears are facing a tough challenge tonight as they take on the Minnesota Vikings in a crucial NFC North showdown.
The Bears are currently 4-7 and need a win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
But they may have to do it without their star quarterback Justin Fields, who is dealing with an illness that has kept him out of practice all week.
Chicago Bears: Is Justin Fields Sick And Playing Tonight?
Fields, who was drafted 11th overall by the Bears in 2021, has shown flashes of brilliance in his second season as the starter.
He has thrown for 1,370 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while also rushing for 341 yards and a score.
He has led the Bears to impressive wins over the Washington Football Team and the Denver Broncos and has shown great chemistry with his new receiver DJ Moore, who was acquired in a trade from the Carolina Panthers.
However, Fields has also struggled with consistency, accuracy, and decision-making, as well as taking too many sacks.
He has been sacked 26 times in 10 games, the third-most in the NFL. He has also dealt with injuries, missing one game with a sprained ankle and playing through a rib contusion.
This week, Fields was hit with another setback, as he came down with a flu-like illness that prevented him from practicing on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
The Bears have not officially ruled him out for tonight’s game, but they have listed him as doubtful on the injury report. That means there is a 75% chance that he will not play.
If Fields is unable to suit up, the Bears will turn to veteran backup Andy Dalton, who started one game earlier this season when Fields was injured.
Dalton completed 16 of 27 passes for 206 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in a 31-28 loss to the Broncos.
Dalton has plenty of experience, having played 10 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and one with the Dallas Cowboys before joining the Bears this year.
He has a career record of 74-66-2 as a starter, with 222 touchdowns and 128 interceptions.
Dalton may not have the same mobility or arm strength as Fields, but he is a savvy veteran who knows how to run an offense and avoid mistakes.
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He may also benefit from having a healthy offensive line, as the Bears are expected to have all five starters back for the first time since Week 2.
The Bears will also rely on their running game, led by David Montgomery and D’Onta Foreman, who have combined for 1,012 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Justin Fields Health In 2023
While Fields’ illness is not considered serious or long-term, it does raise some questions about his health and durability going forward.
Fields has already missed one game and played through two injuries this season, and he has taken a lot of hits behind a shaky offensive line.
He has also been exposed to COVID-19 twice this year, once in August when he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after being in close contact with someone who tested positive, and once in October when he tested positive himself and had to miss two weeks of practice.
Fields have said that he is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and that he did not experience any symptoms when he tested positive.
He has also said that he feels fine after his illness this week and that he hopes to play tonight if he is cleared by the medical staff.
However, some fans and analysts have wondered if Fields is putting his health at risk by playing through pain and sickness, especially in a season that seems lost for the Bears.
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Fields may not play tonight due to his illness, but he is expected to make a full recovery soon and resume his role as the starter for the rest of the season.
The Bears hope that he can stay healthy and continue to develop into the star quarterback they envisioned when they drafted him.
