Bears QB Justin Fields likely to miss second straight game
Bears coach Matt Eberflus says rookie Tyson Bagent will likely start at L.A. as Justin Fields is doubtful with a dislocated right thumb.OCTOBER 23, 2023
Braxton Jones - Nearing return to practiceCoach Matt Eberflus said Monday that the Bears may designate Jones (neck) for return from their injured reserve list this week, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ImpactJones went to Chicago's injured reserve list with a neck injury he sustained in Week 2 at Tampa Bay, but after sitting out of the Bears' last five games, he now seems to be approaching a return to action. A return to practice alone would not guarantee his availability for Week 8, however.
OCTOBER 23, 2023ā¢ROTOWIRE
Nate Davis - Won't play in Week 8Coach Matt Eberflus said Monday that Davis (ankle) will not play in Week 8 at the Chargers, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ImpactDavis will miss his fourth game of the season Sunday as he works to recover from a high right-ankle sprain he sustained in Week 6 versus Minnesota. His absence should open the door for Lucas Patrick to get another start on the interior of Chicago's offensive line in Week 8.
OCTOBER 23, 2023ā¢ROTOWIRE
Injured QB Justin Fields will likely miss his second straight game when Bears meet Chargers
Quarterback Justin Fields likely will miss his second consecutive game because of a dislocated right thumb when the Chicago Bears visit the Los Angeles Chargers this weekOCTOBER 23, 2023ā¢ASSOCIATED PRESS
Roschon Johnson - Could be back in action Week 8Head coach Matt Eberflus said Monday that Johnson remains in concussion protocol, but the Bears are optimistic that the running back will play Week 8 against the Chargers, Brad Big...
ImpactEberflus suggested that Johnson has one hurdle to clear before exiting the protocol, so the 22-year-old rookie may only need to return to a full-contact practice and receive the green light to play from an independent neurologist before being deemed good to go for this weekend. While both Johnson and Khalil Herbert (ankle) have been sidelined for the Bears' past two games, D'Onta Foreman has emerged as Chicago's lead runner, carrying 31 times for 154 yards and adding four catches for 33 yards while finding the end zone three times between Weeks 6 and 7. Herbert will remain on injured reserve for at least another two weeks, but if Johnson is back in action this Sunday in Los Angeles, he could challenge Foreman for the No. 1 role out of the backfield. At the very least, Johnson should be able to unseat Darrynton Evans as the top change-of-pace complement to Foreman after Evans averaged just 3.5 yards on 23 carries and two yards on four targets over the past two games.
OCTOBER 23, 2023ā¢ROTOWIRE
Tyson Bagent - Named Week 8 starterBears head coach Matt Eberflus said Monday that Bagent will remain the team's starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports...
ImpactPer Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com, Eberflus noted that there is "no change" in the status of No. 1 quarterback Justin Fields, who sat out the Week 7 win over the Raiders with a dislocated right thumb and is being classified as "doubtful" at the early stages of Week 8. Based on Eberflus' comments, Fields doesn't look as though he'll be available as even an emergency backup, leaving Nathan Peterman in the No. 2 role behind Bagent. The undrafted rookie out of Division II Shepherd managed the game effectively in the Bears' convincing 30-12 win over Las Vegas, completing 21 of 29 pass attempts for 162 yards and a touchdown while adding 24 yards on the ground and committing no turnovers. Because the Bears are likely to rely on a ground-heavy game plan once again Week 8 while limiting Bagent's opportunities to the throw downfield, the 23-year-old profiles as a low-end fantasy option in leagues that start two quarterbacks or have a QB flex spot available.
OCTOBER 23, 2023ā¢ROTOWIRE
Justin Fields - On track to miss another startBears head coach Matt Eberflus said Fields (thumb) is being classified as "doubtful" for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
ImpactEberflus relayed that while Fields' condition is improving, there is "no change" in his status while the third-year signal-caller continues to recover from the dislocated right thumb he sustained in the Bears' Week 6 loss to the Vikings on Oct. 15. The Bears have already named Tyson Bagent as their Week 8 starter after the undrafted rookie out of Division II Shepherd completed 21 of 29 pass attempts for 162 yards and a touchdown to go with three carries for 24 yards in Chicago's 30-12 win over Las Vegas in Week 7. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Fields is regaining grip strength and is expected to require 2-to-3 weeks to make a full recovery from the injury, so it's still possible that he may be able to practice in some capacity Week 8. Fields will turn his focus to making a potential return to game action for the Bears' Nov. 5 matchup with the Saints in Week 9.
OCTOBER 23, 2023ā¢ROTOWIRE
