Shaw disappointed over hit that reportedly broke his leg, likely ended season

Former University of South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw reportedly suffered a broken leg right above the ankle.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported the injury to his left leg ended Shaw’s season after a brief but impressive preseason performance had him in competition to be the Chicago Bears backup quarterback. The Bears cut 10 players on Sunday, but no move was made to address Shaw’s status.

Shaw expressed his disappointment in a tweet Sunday morning, but deleted it shortly after it was posted. According to The Big Lead, Shaw’s tweet said, “Injuries are a part of the game & I understand that. This should’ve been avoided. No need for that type of cheap BS!”

On the play that the former Gamecock great was injured, he passed the ball before being hit by Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches, who landed on Shaw’s left leg. The leg was immediately placed in an air cast and Shaw was driven to the locker room before being taken to a hospital.

Later on Sunday, Shaw responded to a person challenging his dirty play description. Shaw took a more tactful approach, saying, “Poor choice of words on my behalf. I believe that style of hit was unnecessary but I don't think it was purposeful.”

Before suffering the injury, Shaw was 5-for-6 for 68 yards and a 16-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Meredith for a near-perfect 153.5 passer rating against the Chiefs. For the preseason, Shaw was 11 of 16 for 127 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 132.0 rating. He also wasn’t sacked – the Bears’ other quarterbacks have been sacked 10 times in three preseason games.

After the game, Bears coach John Fox said Shaw’s injury was “very serious,” adding, “Thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”

Shaw’s injury was described as gruesome by those that saw it, according to windycitygridiron.com, adding that NFL Network wouldn’t show a replay because of the graphic nature of the injury.

On Saturday night, Shaw tweeted his appreciation and optimism.

“Overwhelmed w/ support. I’m blessed to have so many praying for me. Power in prayer!” Shaw tweeted, adding, “I trust that I’ll recover fully & play again as a bear!”

Among the supporters was Alshon Jeffery, his teammate at South Carolina. The two had been reunited on the Bears after Chicago signed Shaw, who had been cut by the Cleveland Browns.

“It’s a tough break, man,” Jeffery said. “He was having a hell of a camp. He was doing a hell of a job out there. … I told him ‘Damn, I hate it for you. Just keep the faith. Just trust in the process with God.’ ”

The Bears’ offense was lifeless before Shaw had entered as the third quarterback, CBS Chicago reported, adding Shaw’s place on the 53-man roster was becoming more clear. Now, his season appears to be over.

Shaw entered the NFL in 2014 with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent from South Carolina. Shaw spent most of his rookie year on the practice squad before being called on to start the season finale.

In a 20-10 loss to the Ravens in Baltimore, Shaw completed 14 of 28 passes for 177 yards with no touchdowns, one interception and a 55.2 passer rating.

Shaw missed the entire 2015 season with a thumb injury he sustained in a preseason game.

Shaw played at South Carolina from 2010-13, completing 65.5 percent of his passes for 6,074 yards with 56 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 43 games.

This story was originally published August 29, 2016 at 1:12 AM with the headline "Shaw disappointed over hit that reportedly broke his leg, likely ended season."