Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday that rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent will start in Chicago’s “Thursday Night Football”  game against the Carolina Panthers, after QB Justin Fields was not been cleared to play. Fields hasn’t played since he dislocated his thumb in Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Eberflus’ announcement came after the team listed Fields as doubtful on its injury report ahead of their Week 10 matchup against the Panthers, the Chicago Bears have listed quarterback Justin Fields as doubtful. Per ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, that status gave Bagent his fourth start of the campaign.

The 23-year-old Bagent, an undrafted rookie out of Shepherd University, has started Chicago’s last three games. Chicago has gone 1-2  with Bagent, where he’s completed 66.7 percent of his throws for 614 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions.

Fields, who dislocated his thumb in Week 6, has amassed 1,201 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions along with 420 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in 2023.

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