NEWSLETTER
With Justin Fields’ rib injury being what it is, it was only a matter of time before this news came across the wires.
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
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports Andy Dalton will get the start for the Bears at quarterback on Thursday against the Lions. So, prepare yourself for the Andy Dalton Experience getting a Thanksgiving-themed re-boot in Detroit.
Dalton, if you’ll recall, began the year as the Bears’ QB1 after singing as a free agent back in March. And even after the team chose Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft one month later, Dalton was locked into that role through the offseason, training camp, preseason, and into the regular season. A knee injury in Week 2 put Dalton on the shelf, which led to Fields (eventually) taking the starting gig and keeping it. Unfortunately, an injury to Fields on Sunday now leads to Dalton’s return to the starting lineup.
Nothing like cracking the emergency quarterback safe to get the Thanksgiving vibes right. And that’s for both teams, as Tim Boyle figures to start for the Lions in place of Jared Goff.
I doubt this is what FOX had in mind when plucking a Bears-Lions matchup back in spring.
Nevertheless, it’s what we’ve got in store for us with an 11:30 a.m. CT kickoff. But for what it’s worth, we know Dalton knows his way around birds:
Andy Dalton: Raven slayer. pic.twitter.com/52EuaQ0FzB
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) November 21, 2021
