Jets not fazed by Bears QB uncertainty: ‘Nothing has changed’

NFL coaches like to say they have to make a “playing time decision” on injured players, but the Bears took that to new lengths on Sunday.

It was unclear who would start at quarterback for Chicago until Trevor Siemian was jogging down the field when the Bears got the ball back. There has been speculation all week that starter Justin Fields won’t play due to a separated left shoulder. The Bears officially ruled him out about 90 minutes before kickoff.

Siemian was then expected to start, but reports later surfaced that Siemian had injured an oblique muscle during pre-match warm-ups and that Nathan Peterman would start. Then the Bears said it would be decided at kickoff. Well, it was Siemian. The Jets said the quarterback’s dance had no effect on them.

“We were preparing for Fields,” Saleh said after the Jets’ 31-10 win. “The only difference between Fields and the other two kids is the quarterback run game. All the pre-game stuff, nothing changed. It didn’t matter. Once Fields came out, we were playing a completely different game.

The Bears said they tried to let Fields see if he could go during pregame warmups, but decided against playing him. Then Siemian had his problem.

“During the pre-game warm-up, Trevor was there. I think it might have been before that, you’ll have to ask him, he ended up forcing his oblique,” ​​Bears coach Matt Eberflus said. “Obviously when you’re a setter it’s a big problem getting the ball out on the field so get in there and take some meds. He thought you’d be fine and then it ended as he went through the pre-game warm-ups, he came back and felt good. He ended up performing really well. Nate was ready to go all the time. Nate was told. He was ready to go at the same time too.

Siemian led the Bears to 10 points in their first two practices and then was shut out for the rest of the day. Siemian finished the game 14 of 25 for 179 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He said he was “embarrassed” by the injury as it was non-contact.

RT Cedric Ogbuehi suffered a groin injury in the first practice of the match and was replaced by rookie Max Mitchell, who was active for the first time since Week 4 when he injured his knee against the United Steelers.

RB Michael Carter left the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury. Saleh said they thought it was a sprain. S Ashtyn Davis (hamstring) and LB Chazz Surratt (hamstring) also left the game with injury.

The Jets’ opening touchdown was their first this season. … QB Mike White became the fourth Jets quarterback since 1970 to record multiple games with three passing touchdowns and 300 passing yards, joining Ken O’Brien (7), Joe Namath (5) and Richard Todd ( 5).

hero

In his first start as a replacement for an ineffective Zach Wilson, Mike White completed 22 of 28 passes for 315 yards with three touchdowns. He led the Jets to their first opening touchdown of the season.

Zero

Replacing injured Bears starter Justin Fields, Trevor Siemian completed 14 of 25 passes for 149 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the red zone. He injured himself obliquely during warm-ups but crossed it.

unsung hero

In his NFL debut, rookie Zonovan Knight carried 14 times for 69 yards. He was on the practice squad at the start of the season, but Breece Hall is on injured reserve, Michael Carter injured his ankle during the game and James Robinson was a healthy scratch.

Key stat

10 different targets who had a reception for the Jets, led by Garrett Wilson’s five in 95 with two touchdowns

quote of the day

“I was talking at prom and I was like, ‘Damn, you already know how I feel about you. I kissed her and told her it was going to happen soon. ”

– WR Elijah Moore for scoring his first touchdown of the season after struggling earlier this season