CHICAGO — Chicago Bears Matt Eberflus said there is no sleight of hand in the team's decision to start Nathan Peterman at quarterback in Sunday’s season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.
The coach avoided the “day-to-day” dance he often has done in the name of gamesmanship with injuries in his first season at Halas Hall, announcing Wednesday morning that starter Justin Fields showed up Monday with a sore hip, and a subsequent MRI revealed a strain. The medical staff will not clear Fields this week, so he’s already ruled out for the game at Soldier Field, meaning Lamar Jackson’s single-season rushing record for quarterbacks is safe.
The No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft is in play, and the Bears (3-13) can secure it with a loss to the Vikings and a win by the Houston Texans (2-13-1), who play at the Indianapolis Colts (4-11-1). The Bears will pick no lower than second with a loss.
