Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore clarified that his decision to leave the field during a play last weekend was due to an injury rather than frustration. Speaking on Wednesday, Moore explained that he rolled his ankle while cutting back towards rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who was scrambling, during the Bears’ 29-9 loss against Arizona.
Moore shared, “I was coming back because I saw Caleb scrambling, and my ankle just twisted. My momentum carried me out of bounds, so I walked off the field. I’ve heard the noise around it, but it doesn’t really bother me. It is what it is.” This incident took place when the Bears had the ball near midfield, with Williams scrambling to his left under pressure from defenders. Moore, attempting to support his quarterback, moved toward the sideline but stepped out of bounds and then headed straight to the bench as he hobbled off. Despite this, Williams managed to evade a sack and threw an incomplete pass to Keenan Allen on the opposite side of the field.
Although Moore continued to play, he admitted that his ankle continued to hurt throughout the game, impacting his performance. He ended the match with four receptions for 33 yards. Describing the incident further, Moore said, “The initial ankle roll hurt badly, so I walked off and took a seat. I returned, trying to do my best, but it wasn’t ideal. I didn’t quit or stop playing; I just needed a moment.”
The moment was perceived as unusual amid the Bears’ recent struggles, with the team facing mounting challenges as they prepare to play New England after two disappointing losses. The team appeared lackluster against Arizona and had previously lost to Washington on a Hail Mary play, following three consecutive wins. These setbacks have led to some open criticism of coaching decisions, and Moore’s exit seemed to add to the drama, although Moore dismissed such interpretations.
“A lot of people jumped to conclusions without knowing what happened,” he remarked. “I can’t control that.”
Adding to the Bears’ concerns is the lack of strong chemistry between Moore and Williams. Moore, who joined the Bears following a standout season with Carolina, has yet to replicate his success from last year, when he recorded career highs with 1,364 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Although he has 374 receiving yards and three touchdowns this season, his connection with Williams hasn’t matched the rapport he once had with Justin Fields. Moore’s only 100-yard game so far came against Carolina, and in the three games since, he has managed just 80 total yards.
Williams acknowledged the frustration, noting, “DJ is a special player, and not connecting on certain plays is tough for both of us. As a receiver, he only gets so many chances, so we both want to make the most of them.”
