Bears’ Justin Fields expected to start vs. Lions after missing last four games with thumb injury, per report

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USATSI

On the heels of a mini bye following their win over the Carolina Panthers on “Thursday Night Football,” the Chicago Bears are getting their starting quarterback back. Per NFL Media, Justin Fields is expected to start Sunday vs. the Detroit Lions in Week 11. 

Fields suffered a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand in the Week 6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The main issue has been grip strength, which Fields had to regain before Chicago felt comfortable putting him back under center. Tyson Bagent started for Fields in Chicago’s last four matchups, and went 2-2. 

The undrafted D-II quarterback out of Shepherd University impressed in his first career start vs. the Las Vegas Raiders, completing 21 of 29 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown in a 30-12 victory. However, since then, Bagent has thrown two touchdowns compared to five interceptions. 

Justin Fields

61.7%

200.2

11

6

7.4

1-5

Tyson Bagent

65.7%

171.8

3

6

6.0

2-2

Sitting at 3-7 and holding the 1-8 Panthers’ 2024 first-round pick, SportsLine data scientist Stephen Oh projects the Bears have a 38.4% chance to earn the No. 1 overall pick, and a 90.9% chance of securing a top-three pick. Fields returning to the starting lineup is important, because the Bears need to find some clarity if he’s the quarterback they want to stick with long-term. After a dazzling 2022 campaign in which Fields picked up MVP votes after rushing for 1,143 yards, the Ohio State product is not running as much, and hasn’t taken that step forward as a passer. This offseason, the Bears have to make a decision on his fifth-year option.

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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bears-justin-fields-expected-to-start-vs-lions-after-missing-last-four-games-with-thumb-injury-per-report/

Author : Jordan Dajani

Publish date : 2023-11-15 14:33:57

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