Bears rookie QB Justin Fields will start vs. Lions, Andy Dalton doubtful

Despite Matt Nagy’s intention to make the Bears’ starting quarterback a game-time decision, it’ll be rookie quarterback Justin Fields starting Sunday against the Lions.

Andy Dalton, who Nagy reiterated would be the starter when healthy, was downgraded to “doubtful” against Detroit, as Dalton continues to nurse a bone bruise in his knee. This will be the second straight game Dalton has missed for an injury that takes several weeks to recover from.

Fields will make his second NFL start on Sunday with hopefully a better game plan than Nagy designed last week against the Browns, which didn’t cater to any of Fields’ strengths.

#Bears injury update:

We have downgraded QB Andy Dalton (knee) to Doubtful for Sunday’s game. QB Justin Fields will start vs. the Lions.

— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) October 2, 2021

While Nagy refuses to say who will be calling plays, there’s a belief we could see offensive coordinator Bill Lazor calling plays in place of Nagy. Which would be good news for Fields and this Bears offense, which is looking to rebound following the worst offensive outing in the franchise’s last 40 years.

With Dalton doubtful, it’ll likely be Nick Foles backing up Fields once again.

The Bears and Lions kick things off at Noon CT on FOX.