Bears Make It Official: Andy Dalton Will Start At QB In Detroit

CHICAGO — Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields’ ribs may be day-to-day, according to his coach, but Matt Nagy isn’t taking any chances in making matters worse on Thursday against the Detroit Lions.

Nagy said Tuesday that veteran Andy Dalton will be the Bears starter for Thursday’s game against the winless Lions. Nagy told reporters that Fields remains the starter on the depth chart, but that Dalton will get the start given the nature of the short week.

Dalton threw two touchdown passes in the Bears’ 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Fields left the game early in the second half with a ribs injury and did not return. On Monday, Nagy said that he was still gathering facts about the severity of the injury and has not revealed the actual nature of the injury.

Media reports have suggested that Fields’ ribs are bruised and not broken, but Nagy said Monday he did not want to risk worsening the injury. On Tuesday, said that Dalton would be the quarterback on Thanksgiving.

“With Justin, we’ll keep an eye on him,” Nagy said. “We’ll see where he is at…most likely, he will not be active in that game.”

Asked if Fields could possibly return for the Bears’ following game against the Arizona Cardinals, Nagy said he hopes that’s the case.

“We’ll see where his ribs are at,” Nagy said. “I think it’s day-by-day, but he’s been doing pretty good and we just have to keep an eye on it.”