Bears quarterback Nick Foles returned to practice for the first time since suffering hip and glute injuries in a 19-13 loss to the Vikings on Nov. 16, but as the team’s No. 2 quarterback.
Mitch Trubisky, who played for Foles in a 41-25 loss to the Packers on Sunday night at Lambeau Field, still is expected to start Sunday against the Lions at Soldier Field. Trubisky spoke to the media in the starting-quarterback role on Wednesday.
Foles was limited in practice Wednesday. Nagy watched him closely.
“I was trying to get a feel for him when he’s in the pocket — you know, is he hesitant with stepping into his throws? What kind of velocity is coming off the ball? And I thought he did a pretty good job,” Nagy said.” I think for him, and I was asking him as we went, where he’s at?
I think he would be the first to tell you that, No. 1, it was good to get out there and do some of that. But at the same time, is he 100% where he needs to be? I would probably guess to venture that he would say no, he’s not.”
Foles had started seven games since rescuing the Bears in place of Trubisky in the second half of a 30-26 victory over the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 27. But he was unable to give the Bears’ offense a similar boost in a starting role, albeit against the tougher part of the Bears’ schedule.
Foles had a 79.6 passer rating in his seven starts, completing 186-of-282 passes for 1,664 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. He bottomed out against the Vikings, completing 15-of-26 passes for 106 yards with an interception for a 51.1 passer rating. He suffered the injuries when he was sacked by Ifeadi Odenigbo with 37 seconds left in the game and was replaced by Tyler Bray.
Trubisky, recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered in a one-play stint against the Saints on Nov. 1, started against the Packers last week. It was unclear whether the second quarterback switch was made because of injury or performance. Typifying the Bears’ difficult 2020 season, the answer probably is, both.
Foles at least is expected to be available in a back-up role against the Lions on Sunday.
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