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Justin Fields receives positive injury update following exit vs. Minnesota
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Justin Fields exited Sunday afternoon’s game between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings with a thumb injury.
More accurately, Fields was forced to pop him thumb back into place after taking a hit from a Vikings defender in the 2nd half. The initial X-ray came back negative, but immediate concerns surrounded potential ligament damage as Fields told HC Matt Eberflus he could not grip the ball.
The former Ohio State QB and the Bears learned a positive update Monday considering the circumstances, however. Fields is doubtful for this week’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, but it is believed that no surgery will be needed to repair any damage.
This means Fields will return simply when swelling goes down and when his “grip strength” returns to normal following rehab. Because of that, there is no official return timetable.
No surgery is imminent for QB Justin Fields, sources say. The hope is for rehab to improve grip strength and for him to get back on the field when he can. Surgery would mean out indefinitely. https://t.co/1J7R6xgXBj
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 16, 2023
UDFA Tyson Bagent will get the starting nod with Fields sidelined at least a week and likely more. The former D-II record-breaking QB played well in Fields’ stead considering it was his first true NFL experience, leading a touchdown drive but throwing a game-defining interception on the final Bears possession.
Fields has been good, not great for the Bears this season. He’s lived up to his potential the past few weeks but struggled once again vs. Minnesota before suffering the thumb injury.
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.