It appears the Chicago Bears will have their best offensive player back on the field on Sunday.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, QB Justin Fields is expected to start against the Detroit Lions for their divisional matchup.
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
The Ohio State product has missed the past four games with a right thumb injury that hurt his ability to grip the football.
He practiced his week, and this doesn’t strike as much of a surprise, as he was reportedly very close to suiting up for their last game.
He underwent some limited practice sessions, but HC Matt Eberflus reportedly wants to see whether he can go through team drills without any setbacks to make a final decision about his availability.
The Bears haven’t fared as well as they expected this season, and while they haven’t put their star QB in a position to succeed, he’s likely going to be the fall guy.
With them holding their own first-round pick plus one from the Carolina Panthers, the Bears are likely to take a QB in the upcoming NFL Draft, with Caleb Williams or Drake Maye as the likeliest options.
That means Fields will be extra motivated to ball out in the final seven games of the season, either to convince the Bears that they don’t need to move on from him, or to other teams that he’s much better than he’s shown thus far in his career.
His future is uncertain, but he should gauge plenty of league-wide interest.
NEXT: Stephen A. Smith Sends A Clear Message To Justin Fields
