With the Chicago Bears set to travel to London for this Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders, it looks like they'll be without quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, but it also looks like the team may have dodged a bullet.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Trubisky suffered a dislocated left shoulder when he was driven to the ground by Vikings defender Danielle Hunter on Sunday afternoon. Trubisky also suffered a slight labrum tear due to the injury, but won't need surgery, according to Schefter's report.
Trubisky is expected to return "sooner rather than later," the report said.
Bears head coach Matt Nagy was asked about Schefter's report during a Monday press conference, but didn't confirm the diagnosis.
"Somebody knows more than me," he joked.
Nagy did not rule out Trubisky for Sunday's game against the Raiders, but indicated that Chase Daniel would start if Trubisky can't go. He also indicated that the team would sign Tyler Bray off the practice squad to serve as the back-up quarterback for Sunday's game.
Trubisky suffered a left shoulder injury in the first quarter of Sunday’s win over the Minnesota Vikings, and head coach Matt Nagy didn’t have many new details when discussing the ailment after the game.
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“I haven’t found out a whole lot other than it’s his shoulder, so I’ll know more here probably the next day or two,” he said after the game. “Hopefully a day. We’ll see how all that goes.”
Nagy did say that he didn’t believe the injury would be season-ending, but with the Bears aiming to make the postseason for a second consecutive year, an extended absence from Trubisky would be less than ideal.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Trubisky is "doubtful" to play in the London game due to the injury.
"The team will learn today if he's able to come back after the bye and what his timetable is," Rapoport said.
Quarterback Chase Daniel did play well for the Bears in Trubisky’s absence, but in similar circumstances last season, he struggled in follow-up games. He threw for two touchdowns and 230 yards against the Detroit Lions in a Thanksgiving showdown last season, but then followed it up by throwing two interceptions in a loss to the New York Giants the following week.
The team does have a bye week after their game against the Raiders, potentially giving Trubisky time to heal and for the club to seek a more experienced option at back-up quarterback should Trubisky’s injury recovery necessitate it.
