LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – A year ago this week, Tyson Bagent was preparing to lead the Shepherd University Rams in a road game against the conference rival West Chester Golden Rams. Now, he’s preparing to start at quarterback for the Bears against the Raiders on Sunday at Soldier Field.
“The team I’m going up against Sunday is a little bit better than West Chester,” Bagent said with a smile.
An unlikely football story is about to unfold Sunday as the 23-year-old Bagent, a Division-II star who went undrafted this past spring, is set to lead the Bears as a rookie.
A native of Martinsburg, West Virginia, Bagent chose to stay close to home in attending Shepherd and passed up opportunities to transfer to major-conference college programs. He thrived at Shepherd, setting Division-II records for most career passing yards and passing touchdowns
Despite his low profile in college, Bagent always imagined he would be on this stage one day.
“I think my life has been planned out for me ahead of time,” Bagent said. “I think everything that has happened and will happen was already set in stone to happen. And I think coming from where I come from, I’ve pretty much beat every odd that there was for me. So, I’ve got nothing to lose”
The Bears have turned to Bagent as they await the return of starting quarterback Justin Fields, who suffered a dislocated right thumb in a 19-13 loss to the Vikings this past Sunday.
Fields is being evaluated this week as the Bears determine whether he needs surgery, and there’s no timetable yet for his return. Bagent, who was elevated into Chicago’s backup position in late September, is now being asked to step up in the starting role.
“You don’t just roll out of bed and do those things,” said rookie receiver Tyler Scott. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and he kept climbing. He came in, was able to win a job on the roster, the active roster, and now just earn the backup position and now you’re going to play your way into being thrown in there. Just how much he’s worked. It speaks to his hard work.”
Bagent saw his first NFL action in the third quarter last Sunday after Fields was taken into the locker room for evaluation. Bagent told offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and the Bears’ coaching staff that he had comfort in the entire play sheet and that they shouldn’t limit him.
Now comes an opportunity that Bagent has long been preparing for. He intends to make a strong impression and hopes to last in the league for a long time.
“I always thought it was going to happen,” Bagent said.
Injury report
Bears rookie running back Roschon Johnson remains in the concussion protocol two weeks after he suffered the injury in a game against the Commanders at FedEx Field.
With Johnson sidelined, Khalil Herbert (ankle) on injured reserve and Travis Homer (hamstring) limited in practice, the Bears will likely turn to veteran D'Onta Foreman as their lead running back once again.
Bears guard Nate Davis (ankle) and cornerback Terell Smith (mono) didn't practice Wednesday. Safety Eddie Jackson (foot), pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue (back), offensive tackle Darnell Wright (shoulder) and guard Dan Feeney (knee) were each limited.
Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (back) didn't practice Wednesday in Las Vegas, while star receiver Davante Adams (shoulder) and pass rusher Maxx Crosby (knee/thumb) were limited in their work.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.