Advertisement

Justin Fields takes over as Bears QB after Andy Dalton suffers knee injury

Justin Fields took over at quarterback for the Chicago Bears on Sunday after Andy Dalton left the field with a knee injury.

Dalton appeared to tweak his left knee when he planted at the end of a run in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals. He limped to the sideline, and Fields briefly took his place running the Chicago offense.

Dalton jogged on the sideline and returned to the field for the next Bears possession. But he walked to the locker room late in the first half, and the Bears announced that he sustained a knee injury and was questionable to return. Fields then took over the Chicago offense again before halftime and finished the Bears' 20-17 victory.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, right and Andy Dalton warm up before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Justin Fields, right, took over for an injured Andy Dalton on Sunday. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

While the Bears picked up the win, it was far from a breakout performance from Fields, who finished completing 6-of-13 pass attempts for 60 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. He was sacked twice for 25 yards.

While Dalton's prognosis wasn't immediately clear postgame, his injury opened the door for Fields to take over the Chicago offense. Did head coach Matt Nagy see enough from his first-round rookie to make him a full-time starter?