LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — On a short week as a matchup against the Panthers looms on Thursday night at Soldier Field, the Bears don't know yet whether Justin Fields will be medically cleared to return as their starting quarterback.
Fields on Monday remained limited in his work as the Bears held a walk-through, and the team is waiting to see if he can clear the final hurdles before returning from a dislocated right thumb. Rookie Tyson Bagent has started the last three games in place of Fields, who returned to practice last Friday.
“It always comes down to the medical staff clearing him,” head coach Matt Eberflus said of Fields. “How the player feels he can function in the game and the coaches looking at him and saying, ‘Hey, yes he can function at a high level, he can get the job done.’ It’s always those three factors.
“If Justin is there and is available and functional, we’ll go with him.”
Fields dislocated his right thumb during a loss to the Vikings on Oct. 15. He couldn't properly grip the football to throw well until late last week, which marked an important milestone toward returning.
Fields has completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions over six starts this season. The 24-year-old Fields is playing in the pivotal third season of his rookie contract as the Bears assess their quarterback future.
Fields had thrown for eight touchdowns across the two games prior to Oct. 15, when he suffered the injury setback.
“Obviously, he definitely wants to play,” receiver Darnell Mooney said. “He doesn’t want to miss a game. He wants to play with his guys as well. I think his mindset is going out there, doing what he can the best he can and just having fun with the guys on the team.
“We’re trying to win games at the end of the day. That’s just his mindset.”
The Bears will turn Bagent for his fourth start if Fields isn't cleared to play. Bagent, 23, has completed 67.3% of his passes for 697 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions in four games.
In other injury news, Bears safety Jaquan Brisker was cleared from the concussion protocol and will rejoin the team in practice this week. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (knee) is considered day-to-day after missing Chicago's loss at New Orleans on Sunday.
The Bears on Monday also designated three players to return from injured reserve: running back Khalil Herbert (ankle), receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (hamstring) and cornerback Josh Blackwell (hamstring). Those moves open up the window for each of the players to return to practice. They'd still need to be activated onto the gameday roster to play Thursday.
The Bears and the Panthers kick off at 7:15 p.m. CT on Thursday from Soldier Field.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.