Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields needed to return to Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings, coach Matt Eberflus mentioned.
But Fields couldn’t grip the soccer due to the appropriate hand damage he suffered throughout a third-quarter sack and was sidelined for the remainder of the 19-13 Bears loss.
Whether Fields will miss extra time is now the foremost query. The X-rays on Fields’ hand had been adverse for any fracture, however the Bears are awaiting the outcomes of an MRI. Fox Sports and NFL Network reported Fields dislocated his thumb.
“We’ll know more information tomorrow,” Eberflus mentioned.
In a 1-5 season that has turn out to be a lot about figuring out whether or not Fields is the Bears’ quarterback of the long run, these take a look at outcomes are maybe extra essential than the ultimate end result on the sphere Sunday. Eberflus mentioned Fields’ demeanor after the sport was “great.”
“He goes, ‘Coach, we’ll see where it is tomorrow,’ Eberflus said. “He was positive, and he was upbeat.”
Fields was attempting to eliminate the ball as Vikings exterior linebacker Danielle Hunter sacked him from behind with 10 minutes, 43 seconds to play within the third quarter. Fields’ hand was outstretched as he tried to toss the ball, and it hit the bottom earlier than his physique did.
Fields held his hand and grimaced as he jogged to the sideline and sat on the bench briefly. He headed first to the medical tent after which the locker room. The Bears finally dominated Fields out of the sport, turning to undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent to take his first NFL snaps.
“It sucks to have a guy like that and not be able to have him on the field,” working again D’Onta Foreman mentioned of Fields. “But this locker room has a lot of trust in Tyson and what he brings to the table. We’ve seen him work each and every day in practice and the things he’s been able to do. It definitely sucks but we have a lot of confidence in (Bagent). … His poise and his calmness, the way he commands himself in the huddle, just getting everybody on the right page.”
Before Fields was injured, he and the Bears offense did little to construct momentum from their robust efficiency in opposition to the Washington Commanders in Week 5.
Fields accomplished 6 of 10 passes for 58 yards, no touchdowns, an interception and a 36.7 passer ranking. He was sacked 4 instances. The Bears had minus-3 passing yards following their first three drives earlier than Fields linked with Darnell Mooney for a 39-yard go. The Bears had an opportunity to take the lead late within the second quarter, however Hunter acquired in Fields’ face on a go, and Jordan Hicks intercepted him.
Wide receiver DJ Moore, who had 230 receiving yards in opposition to the Commanders, was focused twice within the first half, with one 7-yard catch. Moore mentioned at one level the Vikings had three gamers on him.
“All the different looks, all the pressures and everything that was coming at us,” Moore mentioned. “It’s hard when you go out there and think they’re going to do one thing and they do a whole multitude of things that they either put in or just had something to beat our play call with.”
The inconsistency of the passing offense behind Fields by means of six video games has left main questions for the Bears about whether or not they will keep on with him past 2023, particularly as they and the Carolina Panthers, whose 2024 first-round draft decide the Bears personal, drop deeper into the NFL basement — with increased draft picks in sight.
Fields can’t persuade them by hook or by crook if he’s out for any prolonged time with a hand damage.
Bagent’s flip because the Bears chief didn’t precisely unfold as a fairy story for the quarterback from Division II Shepherd University who performed his means into the Bears backup function by means of preseason and follow performances.
Bagent, who mentioned he acquired a “handful” of snaps with the first-team offense in follow final week, accomplished 10 of 14 passes for 83 yards and an interception and likewise had a misplaced fumble and a landing run.
He fumbled on a strip-sack by Vikings security Josh Metellus on his third NFL snap. Hicks recovered the ball and turned it right into a 42-yard landing and a 19-6 Vikings lead.
“A little bit of miscommunication,” Bagent mentioned. “But at the end of the day, I’ve got to keep two hands on the ball. I’ve got to protect the ball.”
Bagent recovered to steer the Bears to a landing three drives later, connecting with Moore on 18- and 24-yard passes and scoring on a 1-yard run. He then acquired the Bears to the Vikings’ 35-yard line on their subsequent drive with an opportunity to win it, however he underthrew Moore on a go that Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted.
Bagent spoke of blended feelings after the sport — however mentioned primarily he was desirous about not getting the win.
“More than anything, just wanting a couple of those plays (back),” Bagent mentioned. “Obviously I would have liked a different outcome in the game. I think after you process and think about that, I’m just extremely grateful for the life I’ve been blessed with.”
If Fields can’t return this week for subsequent Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field, Bears gamers mentioned they count on Bagent to be a poised and assured chief.
“He’s got a lot of self confidence,” tight finish Cole Kmet mentioned. “He has conviction in what he does and what he says, and if he has to take over here for a bit, we’re going to rally around him and make this the best situation possible for him.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com