Justin Fields returns to practice Thursday, will likely play Saturday

Rookie quarterback Justin Fields returned to practice Thursday, Bears head coach Matt Nagy told reporters. The Bears continue to be conservative with the rookie, but Nagy anticipates Fields will play Saturday against the Bills.

The Bears kept Fields out of practice on Wednesday with a groin problem. Nagy elaborated that it was due to soreness, but he did not want to press his new quarterback. 

“For us, we’ve got to be smart,” Nagy said. “We want to be smart, and it doesn’t make sense right now to push the limits with him and take a chance of making it more sore.”

Quarterback Andy Dalton will play “at least a quarter and a half,” according to Nagy. He is currently the projected starter for Chicago. Fields’ injury is not the only setback the Bears are facing. 2021 second-round draft pick Teven Jenkins is out indefinitely and will have back surgery. Chicago hopes to get him back at some point this season.

Fields played well in his Bears debut

Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton started the game, and Fields took over at the start of the second quarter. He led the team on two-straight touchdown drives and left at the end of the third quarter. He finished 14-of-20 with 142 yards and the two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground. 

NFL Network’s Chad Reuter analyzed the performance and gave the rookie’s performance a B. 

“He stepped into Chicago’s win over Miami at the start of the second quarter, making accurate throws across his body when flushed out of the pocket,” Reuter said. “One such throw converted a third down that led to a much-needed field goal at the end of the first half. His running ability resulted in an 8-yard touchdown at the end of the team’s first drive of the second half, then a big gain on the following drive.

“Chicago coaches took advantage of the defense spying Fields on a bootleg to the right, allowing for what may be the easiest touchdown pass of his career to tight end Jesse James.”

Fields hit a speed of 20.39 miles per hour on a 21-yard scramble last weekend, the third fastest run in the NFL among all positions. It was the 12th-fastest speed reached by a quarterback since the start of the 2020 season.