Bears QB Justin Fields is ‘progressing well’ but remains doubtful for Week 7
Bears quarterback Justin Fields suffered a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings, which put his status for Week 7 and beyond in question.
Head coach Matt Eberflus didn’t have any significant updates on Fields’ injury, other than he won’t practice Wednesday and remains doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Raiders.
Eberflus did say he’s still working with trainers and is “progressing well.” The swelling in Fields’ right thumb has gone down, but it remains about grip strength.
Eberflus was asked about whether Fields could tape his thumb and play once the swelling is gone and his grip strength returns.
“That’s where it is … other people that have had this injury,” Eberflus said, “it’s gone that way where they’ve taped it and gone through it and they’ve played, and it’s been a week to week thing, and then all the way to having surgery and them being out. We don’t know where it is yet. We’ll figure it out later in the week.”
As for whether Fields’ thumb injury will require surgery, Eberflus said the team is still waiting to find out whether that’s needed.
“I believe we’ll have some clarity later in the week hopefully,” Eberflus said. “But, again, nothing’s off the table, nothing’s on the table right now. We still gotta see where it is.”
If Fields can’t go, it’ll be undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent making his first NFL start against the Raiders.
“Offensively, we’re preparing this week for Bagent to be the starter,” Eberflus said.
