Fields, after a Friday trade with the Carolina Panthers, will now have a true No. 1 wide receiver in DJ Moore.
What it means:
During the 2022 season, Fields' top receiving options were Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet. With three seasons of at least 1,157 receiving yards since 2019, Fields now has a star receiver who may not have reached his ceiling due to the bad offenses he was on with the Panthers. We've already seen Fields rush for 1,143 yards. Now, It's likely the Bears are ready to open up the passing attack to see if their quarterback can be an elite passer as well. Due to his uncertainly as a passer, Fields still carries risk, but it's reasonable to view him as a top-eight fantasy option, with ceiling for placing higher, in 2023 drafts.
Fields is dealing with a strain in his hip and has been ruled out for Sunday's season finale against the Vikings.
What it means:
With Fields slated to sit out the contest out, Nathan Peterman will start at QB for the Bears in Week 18. Fields thus finishes his 2022 campaign having completed 192 of 318 passing attempts for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions to go along with 160 carries for 1,143 yards and eight rushing scores in 15 games. Looking ahead to next season, Fields' dual-threat ability will keep him on the fantasy radar, though we'd expect that the 2021 first-rounder will be working with several new pass-catching options in 2023.
Justin Fields (hip) ruled out for Bears Week 18 versus Vikings
What it means:
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (hip) has been ruled out for Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Fields has a sore hip and will be replaced by Nathan Peterman in the Bears' final game of the season. He will finish the year with 1,143 rushing yards, coming up 64 yards short of Lamar Jackson's single-season record for a quarterback. The Vikings' defense has been fantasy-friendly this season, but the Bears' offense isn't an appealing option with Peterman under center.
Fields averaged 20.5 FanDuel points per game this season. Among the 26 quarterbacks with at least 350 drop backs this year, Fields is No. 22 in Total Net Expected Points added.
Fields completed seven of 21 passes for 75 yards with a touchdown and interception along with 132 rushing yards on 10 carries in the Bears' 41-10 loss to the Lions on Sunday.
What it means:
Fields had 100 rushing yards and his touchdown in the first quarter, but he was held in check the rest of the way. This was his second disappointing fantasy performance in a row, though he'll have a chance to end the year on a high note next week at home against the Vikings.
Fields (foot) isn't listed on Chicago's Week 17 injury report ahead of Sunday's game in Detroit.
What it means:
Fields has been playing through a left shoulder injury since Week 13 and had his foot stepped on in Saturday's loss to Buffalo, with the QB noting Wednesday that the latter injury is "fine" after he dealt with some swelling the past few days, per Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Coach Matt Eberflus said Monday that he won't shut Fields down for the season so long as he's healthy enough to play, and that's apparently the case for Week 17 in a potential shootout with the Lions.
Head coach Matt Eberflus said Monday that Fields won't be shut down for the Bears' final two games of the season, even though the quarterback has been playing through a left shoulder injury since Week 13 and had his foot stepped on during the Week 16 loss to the Bills, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
What it means:
The 3-12 Bears don't have much at stake for the final two weeks of the season, but that apparently won't prompt the team to exercise caution with the second-year signal-caller, who wasn't able to put full weight on his foot following the Week 16 contest but is expected to be "good to go" for Sunday's game in Detroit. Meanwhile, the injury to Fields' non-throwing shoulder is more of a nagging issue than one that dramatically hinders his performance, so at this stage, Eberflus is viewing the 23-year-old as healthy and available to play. Though the Bears have downplayed any concern about Fields, it's possible offensive coordinator Luke Getsy calls fewer designed runs for the quarterback over the next two weeks to limit the strain on his injured foot. After recording no fewer than 47 rushing yards in any of his previous 11 outings, Fields carried seven times for a season-low 11 yards in the 35-13 loss to Buffalo.