A dislocated right thumb will keep Chicago quarterback Justin Fields from playing Sunday against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders.
Undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent will start for the Bears (1-5), whose coach Matt Eberflus said Friday that the team does not see Fields needing surgery or time on injured reserve at this time.
“We are not on that path right now. We are trending in the right direction,” Eberflus said.
“He’s improving. Mobility is getting better, swelling going down. Grip strength is better. … He’ll be week-to-week. We’ll know more on Monday.”
Fields dislocated his right thumb during last Sunday’s 19-13 loss to the visiting Minnesota Vikings. He left the game in the third quarter after being tackled face-down with his body weight landing on the thumb beneath him.
X-rays and an MRI exam showed no long-term damage, but Eberflus said Fields experienced significant swelling that weakens his grip on the ball. Fields, 24, had been listed as doubtful this week to face the Raiders (3-3).
In six games this season, Fields has completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has also rushed 47 times for 237 yards and a score.
Bagent, 23, was one of the remarkable stories of the preseason for the Bears. The rookie from Division II Shepherd University beat out PJ Walker to back up Fields. Bagent scored a rushing touchdown in his NFL debut but lost a fumble and threw a game-ending interception against Minnesota. He finished 10 of 14 for 83 yards.
“I know the guys have a lot of confidence in him,” Eberflus said. “He’s a very confident guy. And again, he’s got good arm talent. He’s got good poise and pocket presence and we’re excited to see where it goes.”
Nathan Peterman is the other quarterback on the active roster. Peterman, 29, has 13 interceptions in 13 career games, including five starts. He entered the NFL in 2017 with the Buffalo Bills and also played for the Raiders.
–Field Level Media