Tests negative on Bears’ Fields’ knee, still ready to roll

The green light remains on for the Chicago Bears’ Justin Fields. Tests on Monday to check for any additional damage on a hyperextended knee suffered during Sunday’s 20-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders were negative, reports NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

The play happened when the 22-year-old Fields was pressured while rolling to his right, and his knee planted awkwardly in the turf. Fortunately, he only had to miss a couple of plays as Chicago’s training staff checked on his condition. Head coach Matt Nagy raved about the quarterback’s toughness in response, who did take a beating in Las Vegas. The Raiders pressured Fields on nine of his 20 pass attempts, and safety Jonathan Abrams stamped him on an early designed run that left Fields noticeably out of whack for a bit.

Despite the pressure, punishment, and injury, Fields never faded. He threw his first career touchdown pass to Jesper Horsted, didn’t make a backbreaking mistake, and had a key late completion to Darnell Mooney on a third-and-long that all but iced the victory for the Bears. It’s prudent that the Bears and Fields take proactive steps to keep the young quarterback cleaner over the rest of the season while he develops. That means improved pass blocking (I’m not confident that’s possible with current personnel). It means more sound play design (there’s a certain limitation here because of that whole personnel thing). And it means better decision-making on Fields’ part to protect himself (well, this hopefully comes with time) when vulnerable.

But, for now, one can’t help but be pleased with how Fields responds to defensive adversity. He does not wilt when challenged, and the Bears appear to have themselves a gamer.