LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields has been medically cleared to return from a ribs fracture and will start against the Packers on Sunday night.
Fields was cleared after the Bears deemed his ribs fracture fully healed, coach Matt Nagy said Wednesday. He suffered three cracked ribs during a game on Nov. 21 and had missed the Bears' past two contests.
"I feel good," Fields said. "I'll be ready to play."
The No. 11 overall pick in the NFL Draft last spring, Fields has completed 58.1% of his passes for 1,361 yards, four touchdowns and eight interceptions in 10 games, including eight starts. Fields has also rushed 56 times for 311 yards and two scores.
Fields, 22, also suffered a ribs injury during the College Football Playoff semifinal game last January while playing for Ohio State. Fields called that injury "much worse" for him, and the recovery lasted four to five weeks before he felt healthy again.
With this ribs injury, Fields went only a week before throwing again, he said.
"I don't expect to be rusty," Fields said.
The Bears are still determining who will be their backup quarterback against the Packers. Andy Dalton started Chicago's past two games but is dealing with a left hand injury. Dalton isn't expected to practice Wednesday, Nagy said.
The Bears would turn to Nick Foles as the backup to Fields if Dalton is unable to play.
The Bears (4-8) and Packers (9-3) kick off at 7:20 p.m. CT on Sunday at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.