Report: Justin Fields to start Sunday vs. Lions after missing four games with thumb injury

Justin Fields‘ tender thumb is healed and the Bears are expecting the quarterback’s return this Sunday, just in time to face the mighty Lions.

UPDATE: Bears coach Matt Eberflus confirmed the news about Fields in his Wednesday press conference.

“He’s progressing well and our plan is to start him this week,” Eberflus told reporters.

EARLIER: Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported early Wednesday that his sources indicate that Fields will start against Detroit, so long as “today’s practice goes well. This key has been regaining grip strength and Fields was nearly there before TNF. With a solid practice, he will be.”

Sources: #Bears QB Justin Fields, out the last month with a dislocated thumb, is expected to start Sunday vs the #Lions, assuming today’s practice goes well. The key has been regaining grip strength, and Fields was nearly there before TNF. With a solid practice, he will be. pic.twitter.com/6Oxp4Ta8G4

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 15, 2023

Justin Fields certainly is readying to play. He practiced all last week and on Monday. The Bears had a mini bye this past weekend after beating Carolina at Soldier Field last Thursday night. In total, he’s missed four games after dislocating his thumb in a 19-13 loss to the Vikings, Oct. 15.

With Fields sidelined, coach Matt Eberflus turned the offense over to undrafted free agent rookie Tyson Bagent. The former star from Division II Shepherd University led the Bears to a 2-2 record. And he was part of a rookie quarterback wave in the NFL this season. Bagent is one of 10 rookie quarterbacks to start at least one game this fall.

But Justin Fields, the third-year player from Ohio State, is the starting quarterback when he’s healthy.

Eberflus talked about the Bears quarterback earlier this week as the team started prepping for the Lions.

“We just need more time,” Eberflus said in his press conference. “We need team (drills) work, we need that and we’ll eventually get there. We’re just not there right now.”

Fields did practice last week. But according to the Bears injury report, he was limited in all three sessions. That’s why Eberfuls said that the young QB needs the team 11-on-11 drills to see whether Fields is “functioning in the game of football.”

“That’s the big part of it and that’s really the only update I have,” Eberflus said. “Once we see him in the game of football, going against the scout team, taking snaps, and playing full speed, we’ll make a determination. But it’s not there today.”

“I think (his throwing) looked good,” Eberflus said. “I think he’s in a good spot. Again, we’ll know exactly where we’re going to be probably more on Wednesday. I don’t really have any more updates on that, but in terms of him throwing on the ball, it looks good.”

Justin Fields has played in six games this season. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns against six interceptions. His completion percentage is 61.7. And he’s still running the ball, although not quite as much as he did a year ago. He’s rushed for 237 yards and is averaging 5 yards per carry.

The Lions will be a tall task since Detroit is pushing the Eagles as the best team in the NFC. The Lions are 7-2 and have won three of their four games at Ford Field.