Bears quarterback Justin Fields has not been cleared to play in Chicago’s “Thursday Night Football” clash with the Carolina Panthers, and rookie Tyson Bagent will start, coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Eberflus’ announcement came after the team listed Fields as doubtful on its injury report.
- Fields hasn’t played since he dislocated his thumb in Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings.
- Bagent, an undrafted rookie out of Shepherd University, has started Chicago’s last three games. The Bears have gone 1-2 during that stretch.
What Eberflus said
Eberflus said that while Fields is not medically cleared, “he’s getting better.”
“(His) accuracy’s improving. He’s throwing it better. And he’s starting to do more and more and more,” Eberflus said. “So we’ll see it where it goes. Right now, we’re listing him as doubtful. And we’ll see where it goes from there.
“It’s really about him feeling good about it and the medical staff saying that he can go in there and function, and he’s just not there at this time.”
Backstory
The Bears are 2-7 and coming off Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, where Bagent went 18-of-30 passing for 220 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Before getting injured, Fields recorded 1,201 yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. The 24-year-old remained limited in practice this week and is considered day to day with his thumb injury.
Required reading
(Photo: Jamie Sabau / USA Today)
