Fields 'hurting pretty good' after aggravating shoulder injury in TNF loss

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields said he aggravated a left shoulder injury in Thursday's 12-7 loss to the Washington Commanders.

"I'm hurting. Hurting pretty good," Fields said, according to NFL.com's Grant Gordon. "Got a long weekend, so I'll have some extra time to heal up."

Fields didn't reveal when he first suffered the ailment, saying only that he "hurt it a while back." The second-year pro hasn't been listed on the Bears' injury report this season.

He continued to take significant punishment behind a porous offensive line Thursday, including five sacks and 12 hits. The 23-year-old is tied for the NFL lead in sacks taken (23) with Matthew Stafford.

Aside from a 40-yard third-quarter touchdown pass to Dante Pettis, Fields struggled to find success throwing the ball. He completed 14 of 27 passes for 190 yards and one touchdown against one interception. However, he racked up 88 yards on the ground.

Fields also had the Bears in position to steal the win after leading a drive in the final minutes, but wide receiver Darnell Mooney failed to catch his fourth-down pass in the end zone.

Despite the loss, Bears head coach Matt Ebeflus was encouraged by Fields' performance.

"I think he took a step forward. The toughness," said Ebeflus postgame, according to Sean Hammond of Shaw Local.