Justin Fields (1) of the Chicago Bears tosses during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, January 1, 2023, in Detroit. (Photo by Paul Sancya/AP)AP
ALLEN PARK: According to NFL Network, Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is likely to return to action this weekend against the Lions in Detroit.
Fields has been out for the last month due to a dislocated right thumb. He returned to practice last week, with undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent taking his spot in the previous four games.
And the Bears are 2-2 with Bagent at the helm. With his ability to defeat you on the ground, Fields remains one of the game’s most dynamic quarterbacks. He was also developing chemistry with some of his new weapons before injuring himself against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6.
However, Fields’ season appears to be a make-or-break one. The Bears are expected to receive the top overall pick in the 2024 draft from the Carolina Panthers. And their own pick isn’t too shabby, presently ranked fifth, implying that there could be plenty of alternatives to find a new franchise quarterback following three seasons of ups and downs with Fields.
Fields was completing 61.7% of his throws for 1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions in six games this season. His rushing numbers, on the other hand, were down, with only 237 yards and one touchdown on 47 tries.
And it is in this area that the Lions must improve. Mobile quarterbacks have remained a thorn in the side of this group. And, while Fields isn’t the same as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, he’s demonstrated he can cause problems for the Lions and their defense.
Last season, the 2021 first-round pick rushed for 279 yards and two touchdowns in two games versus the Lions. Detroit won both of those games, edging Chicago in the final minutes before blowing them out 41-10 at home.
The Lions’ defense is licking its wounds after allowing 38 points and touchdowns in the final five series against the Chargers last week. In Los Angeles, the Lions won at the buzzer. They are aware, however, that it must improve defensivel
