The Chicago Bears plan to begin Justin Fields on Sunday towards the Detroit Lions at Ford Field — the quarterback’s first begin in additional than a month.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus introduced the plan earlier than observe Wednesday at Halas Hall, saying Fields is “progressing well” from the dislocated proper thumb that saved him out of 4 video games.
Eberflus mentioned the observe can be “a big evaluation” as Fields does full-speed group reps after he was restricted in practices and walk-throughs earlier than this week. Fields suffered the harm Oct. 15 within the third quarter of a loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and rookie Tyson Bagent went 2-2 because the starter in his place.
Now Fields returns with seven video games to play in his third season — and loads to show to common supervisor Ryan Poles, Eberflus and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy as they plot the group’s future on the place.
Fields had good and dangerous performances within the six video games he performed earlier than he was injured. He accomplished 61.7% of his passes for 1,201 yards with 11 touchdowns, six interceptions, 24 sacks and a 96.1 passer score.
The excessive got here towards the Washington Commanders in Week 5, when he threw for 282 yards and 4 touchdowns with no turnovers.
“I think seven weeks is enough time to show consistency and (be) the high performer that we expect him to be,” Eberflus mentioned. “I know he’s had some good performances this year. Certainly the last few have been solid. We expect consistency out of all our positions.”
Fields will return towards a Lions protection that ranks ninth total with 310.7 yards allowed per recreation however twentieth with 231.6 passing yards allowed per recreation. The Lions have 21 sacks and 11 takeaways, together with eight interceptions.
Eberflus mentioned Fields’ return offers the Bears offense “different options” together with his ability set, which incorporates speeding for 237 yards and a landing on 47 carries this yr.
“You have some different options there, different movement passes that you might run that you wouldn’t run with a different quarterback in there,” Eberflus mentioned. “Certainly it opens up your package a bit.”
Fields’ return closes an up-and-down flip for Bagent, who accomplished 65.7% of his passes for 859 yards with three touchdowns, six interceptions, 5 sacks and a 71.4 passer score.
Eberflus mentioned Fields was skilled and supportive of Bagent whereas working again from the harm.
“That was very beneficial for Tyson to have that support because you can feel him being genuine about that support and really helpful,” Eberflus mentioned. “He has always been a great teammate, always been one of the hardest workers. He was engaged in all those game plans to be helpful and to be supportive.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com