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It is a crucial season for the Chicago Bears (3-7) and former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. In Sunday’s 16-13 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the rookie quarterback suffered a rib injury and was forced to leave the game.
Fields underwent some testing for a major injury and the tests were clear, according to Ian Rapoport. There are some concerns over minor damage, but it is a quick turnaround for Fields to potentially come back and start for Chicago in its Thanksgiving road game vs. the Detroit Lions (0-9-1).
“It is an incredibly, incredibly short turnaround for Justin Fields to be able to play on Thursday…theoretically possible, seems a little bit like an uphill battle,” explained Rapoport.
From NFL Now: #Bears QB Justin Fields is not believed to have suffered a major rib injury, but the turnaround for Thursday is very quick. pic.twitter.com/vQHBVRhQjR
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 22, 2021
Fields threw for 4-of-11 completions and 79 yards before leaving the game with the injured ribs. In 10 games this season for Chicago, Fields has thrown for 115-of-198 completions for 1,361 yards, 4 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, and a QBR of 25.6.
With Fields’ status uncertain, Chicago is prepared to start Andy Dalton at quarterback for the road matchup vs. Detroit. Dalton has thrown for 48-of-73 completions for 471 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
Sources: #Bears QB Andy Dalton is expected to start on Thursday, with Justin Fields dealing with a rib injury. He spent the day undergoing further testing, and the turnaround is too quick.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 23, 2021