Bears' Fields Has Dislocated Thumb, Doubtful Against Raiders

CHICAGO — As if the Chicago Bears' difficulties this season weren’t mounting enough already, they may be without starting quarterback Justin Fields for at least a week after he dislocated his right thumb in the Bears' latest setback.

Coach Matt Eberflus confirmed the injury on Monday but says he won’t know how long Fields will be out of the Bears’ lineup until later this week. Fields left Sunday’s 19-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings early in the second half after wincing in pain after landing on his hand after being taken to the ground while being sacked.

X-rays were negative but reports quickly surfaced that Fields dislocated his finger and was unable to return to the game due to swelling that prevented him from gripping the football. Many suggested that the injury could force Fields to miss significant time as it was unknown whether the third-year former first-round draft pick would require surgery.

Fields underwent an MRI on Monday, which Eberflus suggested didn't show anything serious, leaving his long-term status unknown at this time.

On Monday, Eberflus said that swelling in hand remains the major issue and characterized Fields’ status for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field as doubtful. Eberflus said that everything with Fields’ availability comes down to grip strength and being able to carry out the duties of throwing the ball and handing the ball off.

“Is he going to play this week? He looks to be doubtful for that right now,” Eberflus told reporters at Halas Hall on Monday afternoon. “But we’ll see at the end of the week, and we’ll be able to make that known at the end of the week.”

Asked if Fields would need surgery, Eberflus again pushed the timeline to the end of the week. Eberflus said the possibility of Fields playing on Sunday has not been ruled out and stuck with the ‘doubtful’ characterization of his status.

Asked what Fields could have done differently on the play, Eberflus only said that the coaching staff would have liked to see Fields get rid of the ball sooner so that he could have avoided taking the hit. Eberflus said Fields injured the thumb by falling on it “funny.”

Fields left the game after throwing for 58 yards and an interception on 6-of-10 passing while running for 46 yards. Eberflus Sunday that Fields wanted to return to the game but was unable to after being unable to grip the football.

Tyson Bagent replaced Fields and finished the game throwing for 83 yards on 10-of-14 passing with an interception. Bagent also scored on a quarterback keeper to get the Bears to within 19-13 before throwing the late interception trying to complete a comeback win.

Instead, the Bears dropped to 1-5 on the season as the uncertainty around Fields’ immediate future continues.

“I know he’s a fast healer so we’ll see where it is,” Eberflus said on Monday, adding, “We just want to give it time. There’s natural swelling that occurs (with the injury) and we’re just going to give it time to see where it will go. That gives us the best opportunity to see where it is and then we’ll make that decision.”