(670 The Score) Bears quarterback Justin Fields took a shot from Bills defensive lineman Ed Oliver on a screen pass and fell to the Soldier Field turf Saturday afternoon. That was all Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus needed to see.
Eberflus and the Bears pulled Fields after the first play of the second quarter as he was leading a drive downfield, inserting rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent to replace him. Fields, who wasn't injured on the play, returned to the sideline having finished 2-of-6 for 51 yards in parts of three series in the Bears' preseason finale, which Chicago lost 24-21.
The Bears' starting offense went three-and-out on its first two drives, amassing just two yards in that span. Fields misfired to top receiver DJ Moore on third-and-10 on the first drive. That came against the Bills' starting defense, which ranked second in scoring and sixth in opponents' yardage in 2022.
Fields delivered a highlight later in the first quarter with a 40-yard connection to Moore, who broke through a would-be tackler and ran for a good chunk of yardage after the catch. Fields also hit running back D'Onta Foreman on the aforementioned 11-yard screen pass, which ended with him being knocked down in the pocket. That third series came against the Bills' reserve defense.
The Bears were missing three starters on their offensive line Saturday, with left guard Teven Jenkins (leg), right guard Nate Davis (undisclosed) and right tackle Darnell Wright (ankle) held out of action. Cody Whitehair moved from center to left guard, while second-year center Doug Kramer earned the start. Third-year offensive lineman Larry Borom started at right tackle.
Fields was 3-of-3 for 129 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears' preseason opener on Aug. 26. He didn't play last Saturday in Chicago's exhibition loss at Indianapolis.
The Bears host the Packers in the regular-season opener on Sept. 10 at Soldier Field.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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