{"id":119343,"date":"2021-08-12T15:26:32","date_gmt":"2021-08-12T19:26:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=119343"},"modified":"2021-08-12T15:31:27","modified_gmt":"2021-08-12T19:31:27","slug":"chicago-bears-excitement-over-justin-fields-undone-by-litany-of-injuries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/08\/12\/chicago-bears-excitement-over-justin-fields-undone-by-litany-of-injuries\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Bears: Excitement Over Justin Fields Undone by Litany of Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chicago Bears fans have endured a lot so the excitement over rookie quarterback Justin Fields<\/a> possibly getting his first start in Week 1 would be understandable sight unseen. But per reports from training camp, the 11th-overall pick has impressed with his steady improvement from day to day.\u00a0 So far, we\u2019ve gotten word of just one bad performance out of him. And his best comes just ahead of the preseason opener.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been enough to revive the calls for Fields to start Week 1 of the regular season. That game, mind you, is against the Los Angeles Rams.<\/p>\n

The Chicago Bears Need a Healthy Offensive Line Before Justin Fields’ First Start<\/h2>\n

O-Line Woes<\/h3>\n

However, injuries to both projected starting offensive tackles, the top backup, and even fifth-round rookie Larry Borom, who has been a standout, should put those flames out once again.<\/p>\n

Second-round pick Teven Jenkins<\/a> hasn\u2019t practiced since minicamp while dealing with a back issue. He has upgraded to the stationary bike in recent days though. That\u2019s a problem for the projected protector of the quarterback\u2019s blindside. Reports of back issues and concussions in college<\/a> have come out since the draft. That has led some to suggest that as the reason Jenkins was available for the Bears.<\/p>\n

[pickup_prop id=”6739″]<\/p>\n

James Daniels is also dealing with a quad injury. He missed all but five games last season with a pectoral injury. Right tackle Germain Ifedi has an injured hip flexor.<\/p>\n

Their depth chart shows former Denver Bronco Elijah Wilkinson and 2020 seventh-rounder LaChavious Simmons and Arlington Hambright as starters next to Cody Whitehair and 2020 surprise, Sam Mustipher.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s absolutely no way the Bears should be trotting Fields out behind that which is definitively worse on paper than even last season\u2019s disappointing bunch. To be fair, the injuries aren\u2019t limited to the offensive line. Allen Robinson is dealing with a hamstring issue<\/a> and free-agent signee Marquise Goodwin has a foot contusion.<\/p>\n

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If you were waiting for Justin Fields\u2019 breakout practice, this was it. Next test: Saturday\u2019s game, when he can get hit. https:\/\/t.co\/nUvzcLgDXY<\/a><\/p>\n

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 12, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n