The Chicago Bears have made it clear they have no intentions of benching Nick Foles anytime soon. That hasn’t stopped a lot of people from calling on them to bring back Mitch Trubisky. Such is the byproduct of a team that is struggling offensively. When one thing isn’t working, try something else.
Unfortunately for those Trubisky fans, they’re likely not going to see their guy on the field regardless if the Bears wanted to play him or not. The 26-year old played one snap on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. It was a seemingly mundane 3-yard run where he was tackled by linebacker Alex Anzalone. No big deal, right?
With Trubisky though it seems every time he’s touched it’s a big deal now.
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the quarterback suffered a shoulder injury on that play. It isn’t clear how bad it is but there is a fear that it’s a structural problem. Given Trubisky already has a history of shoulder issues? This probably doesn’t bode well for his availability in the near future.
What makes it even worse timing is what’s happening on the offensive line. Chicago just had to put right tackle Bobby Massie on Injured Reserve. On top of that, his backup Jason Spriggs contracted COVID-19, which in turn affected right guard Germain Ifedi. So it’s possible the Bears could be down four of their five original starters when they play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Keep in mind Nick Foles has already been sacked nine times the past two games.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
From NFL Now on @nflnetwork: #Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky is undergoing evaluations on his shoulder after injuring it on Sunday vs. the #Saints. There's concern it could be a structural issue, though the extent is unclear at this point. pic.twitter.com/E2xuCxFj4K
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 4, 2020
I can confirm that #Bears QB Mitch Trubisky is dealing with a shoulder injury (as @MikeGarafolo reported).
The severity and what's next is still being determined. But it doesn't sound good. There are further evaluations.
But just awful luck.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) November 4, 2020
Loss of Mitch Trubisky could loom large if Foles goes down
Remember that Foles doesn’t exactly have a strong track record of durability either. He’s never started more than 11 games in a season as a professional. He broke his collarbone just last season in Jacksonville. One awkward hit and the Bears could end up starting Tyler Bray moving forward. That is how off the rails things have gone for the offense in the past two weeks.
Trubisky may not be what the Bears hoped but he still has value as a decent backup. Now he can’t even provide them that in what might be the most critical stretch of the season. Is that his fault? No. All one can do is feel bad for the guy. He’s done and said all the right things. He works hard and never once rocked the boat during his time under center.
It’s possible that the final image of him in a Bear uniform will be the interception in Atlanta followed by suffering a third shoulder injury against the Saints. A fitting snapshot of the incredible bad luck the Bears continue to have at quarterback. Mitch Trubisky didn’t deserve that sort of ending. Sadly this is how the NFL is.
If nothing else, this just reinforces how the Bears will certainly be aggressive on the quarterback front come 2021. Trubisky will be gone. Bray could be gone. Foles will have the option to leave. They need a new infusion of talent.