Bears' Fields to miss season finale with hip strain, Peterman to start

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields will miss his team's regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings due to a hip strain, head coach Matt Eberflus announced Wednesday, according to the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs.

Nathan Peterman will serve as the Bears' starting quarterback for the Week 18 contest, Eberflus added.

Eberflus told reporters Fields underwent an MRI after reporting a sore hip Monday. Tests revealed a strain, though the Bears head coach said he doesn't expect it to be a long-term injury.

Fields will finish the 2022 campaign with 1,143 rushing yards - just 63 shy of tying the single-season quarterback rushing record set by Lamar Jackson (1,206) in 2019.

Fields rushed for over 130 yards on three occasions this season. He also eclipsed 80 yards on the ground in seven games.

The 23-year-old improved on his 2021 rookie season during his second NFL campaign, posting higher figures in completion percentage (60.4%), touchdowns (17), and passer rating (85.2).

Sunday will mark Peterman's first start since Week 9 of the 2018 campaign. The 28-year-old has thrown six passes this season for three completions and one interception.

The Bears enter Week 18 with a 3-13 record.

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