Bears hope QB Justin Fields will be able to start vs. Vikings

The Chicago Bears improved to 6-10 on the campaign via Sunday's 29-3 win over the lowly New York Giants and did so without rookie quarterback Justin Fields in the lineup. He was sidelined with an ankle injury that kept him out of action over the past two contests. Chicago has nothing to play for other than pride heading into the Week 18 regular-season finale at the Minnesota Vikings, but head coach Matt Nagy nevertheless seemed optimistic Fields will be able to go for that matchup. 

"He’s put a lot of time and effort into this year," Nagy said of the first-year pro, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "Into developing and becoming better as a quarterback. What this will enable him to do is finish on a high note." 

Veteran Andy Dalton, who may not have much of a future in Chicago beyond this coming weekend, started under center against the Giants and completed 18-of-35 passes for 173 yards with a touchdown and interception in the lopsided victory. As much as Nagy and company may want to see Fields face a live defense in a meaningful game, logic suggests the rookie shouldn't play unless he's fully recovered from his latest setback. Dalton, meanwhile, likely will be the next man up on the depth chart if Fields is shut down.