Nick Foles won't start against the Packers on Sunday Night Football. Mitchell Trubisky gets the nod instead.
Unlike earlier in the season, when Foles took over for Trubisky due to performance issues, Week 12's Foles absence is due to injury. He injured his hip late in Week 10 against the Vikings and wasn't able to recover over Chicago's bye week. Trubisky starts for the Bears (5-5) in an NFC North showdown with the Packers (7-3) on NBC on Sunday night.
Here's more about why Foles isn't playing and when he might be back.
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What happened to Nick Foles?
With less than a minute left against the Vikings in Week 10, Foles was slammed to the ground by the Minnesota pass rush. He landed hard on the right side of his hip.
#Bears QB: Foles takes a nasty hit.
— Lawrence Owen NFL (@Colts_Law) November 17, 2020
Still on the field, obviously in pain. pic.twitter.com/6WNh8NxkcB
Foles was carted off the field as Tyler Bray finished out that game. Postgame, the Chicago Tribune reported that Foles had not fractured his hip.
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How long is Nick Foles out?
Leading into Week 12, Bears coach Matt Nagy said Chicago was still evaluating its quarterback decision, suggesting Foles had a chance to return to action against the Packers. But Foles was listed as a "Did Not Participate" at all three Chicago practices before the Sunday night game, suggesting he wasn't especially close.
The official injury report listed Foles as doubtful, and he was officially an inactive behind Trubisky and Bray for Sunday Night Football.
While there's been no clarity on the type of injury Foles sustained, the fact that Chicago didn't place him on Injured Reserve (which forces him to miss three games) has to be a good sign. It gives Foles a chance to return to the practice field in Week 13 ahead of a matchup with the Lions.
Whether Foles starts when he returns likely depends on Mitchell Trubisky's performance in the meantime.
Nick Foles injury history
Foles hasn't had a recorded hip injury during his college and NFL careers, according to Sports Injury Predictor. Foles' injury history prior to the hip issue is as follows:
- 2012: Hand Metacarpal Fracture
- 2013: Head Cranial Concussion Grade 1
- 2014: Shoulder Clavicle Fracture
- 2018: Shoulder "Strain"
- 2019: Shoulder Clavicle Fracture