LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Quarterback Justin Fields and the Bears are still evaluating the health of his dislocated right thumb and their options to treat it.
The swelling has reduced on Fields' right thumb, but the Bears haven't yet ruled out surgery to repair the injury. The team expects to have more clarity by the end of this week.
“Nothing’s off the table, nothing’s on the table right now,” coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday. “We still got to see where it is.”
The 24-year-old Fields is doubtful to play when the Bears host the Raiders on Sunday, Eberflus previously said. That has put 23-year-old rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent in line to make his first career NFL start Sunday.
Fields won't practice Wednesday, though he's with the Bears at Halas Hall and working with the team’s training staff. Fields suffered his thumb injury early in the third quarter of the Bears' 19-13 loss to the Vikings on Sunday when he landed awkwardly on his right hand while taking a hit from pass rusher Danielle Hunter.
Fields hoped to return after the injury Sunday but struggled to grip the football. The Bears ruled him out shortly afterward. The team is continuing to monitor Fields’ swelling and his ability to grip the football.
“Certainly, we’re optimistic where it is,” Eberflus said. “But we don’t know. We don’t have the answers yet. We’ll know later in the week.”
Bagent went 10-of-14 for 83 yards and an interception in relief of Fields in his NFL debut Sunday. Veteran Nathan Peterman is set to serve as the backup behind Bagent. The Bears also signed quarterback Trace McSorley to their practice squad Tuesday.
Fields has completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions in six games this season. He has missed seven games over his three NFL seasons.
The Bears (1-5) and Raiders (3-3) kick off at noon on Sunday at Soldier Field.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.