Justin Fields has been practicing with limitations this week, which is a step in the right direction in terms of big picture stories.
But for the short term, it looks like the Bears’ QB1 of the future is sitting out for a second consecutive game:
#Bears HC Matt Nagy says Andy Dalton will start at QB and Nick Foles will be backup Sunday vs. Cardinals. Justin Fields still not recovered from injury to ribs.
— Larry Mayer (@LarryMayer) December 3, 2021
Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy told reporters on Friday that Andy Dalton will start at quarterback in Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. Additionally, Nick Foles will serve as Dalton’s backup. In other words, while Fields has been practicing, the Bears seem to be exercising extreme caution when it comes to suiting him up. If Fields isn’t fully recovered from the ribs injury that took him out of the Ravens game and forced him to skip the Thanksgiving game against the Lions, then there is no reason to force him back into the lineup.
Dalton has been fine in relief of Fields. In his lsat two outings, Dalton has thrown 3 TDs against just 1 INT, is averaging 8.4 yards per attempt, and has a 93.3 passer rating. That is perfectly cromulent stuff from your QB2, even if that 56.5 percent completion rate is on the unsightly side of things.
We’ll have more from the rest of the injury report shortly.