LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – Bears quarterback Justin Fields is doubtful to play against the Raiders this coming Sunday as he recovers from a dislocated right thumb, coach Matt Eberflus said Monday.
Fields’ timetable for a return was uncertain as of midday Monday. The Bears expect to have a more exact timetable by the end of the week. Fields had an MRI, but the team was still awaiting the full results.
“We just want to give it time," Eberflus said. "There’s natural swelling that occurs in that. We want to just give it time. Give it time to see where it will go, give us the best the opportunity to see where it is and then we’ll make that decision.”
Fields suffered the injury early in the third quarter of the Bears’ 19-13 loss to the Vikings on Sunday when he was sacked by pass rusher Danielle Hunter. He fell awkwardly on his right hand and was taken off the field for evaluation. Fields was 6-of-10 for 58 yards and an interception prior to his injury.
Fields wanted to return during to the game Sunday but struggled to grip the football. He was then ruled out for the remainder of the game by the team.
The Bears will turn to rookie Tyson Bagent in place of Fields at quarterback.
Bagent was 10-of-14 for 83 yards and an interception while stepping in Sunday in the first NFL action of his career.
An undrafted rookie out of Shepherd University, Bagent threw for a Division-II record 17,034 passing yards and 159 touchdowns, the most ever at any level of NCAA football.
"He's just very confident, passionate," running back D'Onta Foreman said of Bagent. "Just somebody who expects to go out there and play well. I think I get that sense from him. So, ultimately, you got to go do it, though. I’m looking forward to it."
The Bears will release their first injury report of the week Wednesday, at which point Fields' injury timeline should become more clear. If Fields can't play, the 23-year-old Bagent would be in line to make his NFL start next Sunday, when the Bears (1-5) host the Raiders (3-3) at noon CT from Soldier Field.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.