Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is doubtful to play in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders as he recovers from a dislocated right thumb.
Fields, who was hurt during the third quarter of Sunday’s 19-13 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings, had X-rays of his right hand taken at the stadium during the game and underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan Monday morning. The X-rays were negative for a fracture.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus didn’t share the specifics of what the MRI showed, but he insinuated that Fields’ uncertain recovery timetable likely would inhibit his ability to be ready for Sunday’s game at Soldier Field.
“It’s really going to come down to grip strength,” Eberflus said. “There’s natural swelling that occurs with this injury. We really should know more at the end of the week.”
Fields was at Halas Hall on Monday working on his recovery with team trainers. But Eberflus didn’t dismiss the possibility that the Bears quarterback could face surgery on his throwing hand.
“It is where it is right now,” Eberflus said, “and we’ll know more at the end of the week.”
Fields was hurt with a little more than 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter Sunday when he landed awkwardly while being sacked by Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter.
Undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent replaced Fields and led a touchdown drive but also committed two costly turnovers in five possessions. Bagent is in line to make his first NFL start against the Raiders and will have the support of his teammates and coaches.
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Running back D’Onta Foreman on Monday again commended Bagent’s presence, calling him “very confident, passionate.”
“(He) expects to go out there and play well. I get that sense from him,” Foreman said. “Ultimately you’ve got to go do it, though. I’m looking forward to it, granted he gets that opportunity.”
Veteran cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who has seen the Bears start six quarterbacks during his four seasons, was asked how the team would deal with the emotions of potentially losing Fields for a number of games.
“I don’t think there’s a clear answer to how you get ready emotionally,” Johnson said. “You’ve got a job to do individually. If you get caught up in something else — like the quarterback situation and emotions — you don’t (have) time for that.
“Considering where we’re at in our season, emotions are the last thing we’re worried about. We’ve got to figure out ways to win games. It’s not like we were 5-1 with our starting quarterback. We still have things to figure out no matter who’s in at that position.”
The Bears will return to practice Wednesday afternoon in Lake Forest with all signs pointing to Bagent being in the driver’s seat for at least this week. But Eberflus said the Bears will continue to monitor Fields’ grip strength and functionality throwing the football and handing it off.
“For this week it looks like it’s doubtful,” Eberflus said, “but we’ll see at the end of the week and see where it goes. I know he’s a fast healer, so we’ll see where it is.”