Mitchell Trubisky returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis, but the Bears quarterback still hasn't thrown a football since injuring his right shoulder Nov. 18 against the Vikings.
The second-year pro, who sat out the Bears' Thanksgiving win over the Lions, addressed the media Thursday for the first time since the team announced his injury Nov. 19.
"I'm feeling good," Trubisky said. "I'm just getting closer and closer every day, just going through this process, trusting the plan they have for me and trying to get better every day.
"I'm just trying to get ready to get back as soon as possible. When that decision is made by the people above, the trainers and docs and everything, then I'll be ready to go. But I'm feeling good, and that's the important thing. I'm just excited for where this football team is at."
The first-place Bears are being cautious with Trubisky just as they were in dealing with injuries to outside linebacker Khalil Mack and receiver Allen Robinson II. The quarterback echoed what coach Matt Nagy has said about the injury not being a long-term issue.
"I'm definitely not worried about it," Trubisky said. "The good news is it's not something that's going to prevent me [from playing] in the long term. We're just making sure it's right, 110 percent, and when I come back I'll be what this offense and what this team needs me to be."
Trubisky confirmed that he sustained the injury late in the Bears' 25-20 win over the Vikings when he was hit by safety Harrison Smith on a 5-yard scramble. Rather than sliding, Trubisky tumbled forward and was nailed by Smith, who drew a 15-yard penalty on the play.
"It was just an awkward landing, and then I got hit, and my arm got caught underneath me the wrong way," Trubisky said. "It was really just a freak play and I didn't know what happened at the time. Luckily, I was able to finish out the game and more importantly we won."
Trubisky acknowledged that sitting out an NFL game due to an injury for the first time wasn't easy, but he still attempted to assist replacement Chase Daniel and the rest of the offense.
"I definitely want to be out there for my team," Trubisky said. "But in the meantime, I'm just trying to help in any single way I can. When I'm not out there, I think my teammates are still looking at me because I'm a leader on this team. I just try to get them going, help in any way I possibly can. I'm supporting Chase and Tyler [Bray] and making sure they're prepared."
Daniel excelled in place of Trubisky, completing 27 of 37 passes for 230 yards with two touchdowns, no turnovers and a 106.8 passer rating that was the highest by a quarterback in his first start with the Bears since Chad Hutchinson posted a 115.0 in 2004.
Trubisky was thrilled to see Daniel perform so well in what was only the career backup's third start in nine NFL seasons.
"For him to prepare on a short week and be thrown in there and come through for this team like he did, we're very proud of him," Trubisky said. "I'm excited for the opportunity he had. It was huge for this football team. None of us were surprised. He went in there, did his job and did a great job for this team."
