The Chicago Bears are set to host the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football in a game that promises to be entertaining — or at least humorous. Despite not being two powerhouse teams, there are still storylines and intrigue for this matchup between the two NFC teams.
One of the storylines to look for is the quarterback play. For the Panthers, first overall pick Bryce Young is trying to get the second win of his young career. Carolina looks to get him more comfortable within the offense, which has already seen a play-caller change.
Elsewhere, there are questions about who will be quarterbacking for the Bears tonight. In the last three games, backup QB Tyson Bagent has manned the spot as starter Justin Fields has been battling an injury. Let’s look at Fields and see if he will be back in the lineup for Thursday Night Football.
Justin Fields Is Out for Thursday Night Football
Update 11/09/23: Bears QB Justin Fields is officially inactive ahead of the team’s Thursday Night Football game against Carolina.
The latest report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is the expectation that Fields will miss his fourth game tonight: “Justin Fields is officially listed as doubtful for this game, which means undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent once again is in line to get the start for the Bears against the Panthers.”
Pelissero continued: “My understanding is that Fields is getting close with that right thumb injury that he suffered several weeks ago … he’s close but at this point in a short week, there’s not a lot of chance to get full-speed reps and get kind of comfortable again so they’re going to hold off.”
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Pelissero alluded there is a real chance Fields could be back for Week 11 against the Detroit Lions. He also confirmed that it will be the Bagent show once again tonight.
Head Coach Eberflus Gives Confusing Answer Regarding Fields
Head coaches giving the media a word salad when it comes to play availability is as old as time. However, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus was asked about his starting QB’s availability ahead of Thursday night’s game and left everyone in the room with more questions than answers.
One media member seemed confused by Eberflus’s answers as they pertained to Fields and his availability and at one time asked “I’m having trouble understanding, he’s not playing but he’s doubtful? Is he out or is he doubtful?”
Eberflus did not really provide the clarity the reporter was looking for when he answered back “Right now he is listed as doubtful” and then continued to say that there’s a 51 percent chance, after just stating that he was doubtful and mostly likely out.
While this all seems to be rooted in gamesmanship, it left everyone in the room perplexed at the mental gymnastics.
Another Opportunity for Tyson Bagent
Bagent has taken the opportunity and ran with it. The undrafted rookie is 1-2 thus far as a starter and has a chance to even up the record before handing the keys back over to Fields next week.
During his time under center, he has provided a bit of a spark, showing the ability to make plays with his legs and play within the offense. It hasn’t been as explosive as when Fields is in the huddle, but if nothing else, Bagent has shown the ability to come in and keep things on the rails in case of injury.
Thursday night presents another unique opportunity for the former Division II QB, and there’s no time better to go out with a bang than in prime time.
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