Dalton to start for Bears on Thanksgiving, Fields likely inactive

Chicago Bears quarterback Andy Dalton Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Andy Dalton to start for Bears on Thanksgiving, Justin Fields likely inactive

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 11/23/21

The 3-7 Chicago Bears are making one expected change for the Thanksgiving afternoon matchup at the winless Detroit Lions.

Another big one could be coming off the holiday.

Per insider Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic, Bears head coach Matt Nagy confirmed Tuesday that veteran quarterback Andy Dalton will start against the Lions on Thursday. Rookie signal-caller Justin Fields is dealing with a rib injury he suffered in the third quarter of Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Chicago's fifth straight defeat, and a report surfaced Monday evening Dalton was on track to be QB1 for the Thanksgiving clash.

Fields will probably be a spectator in Detroit.

“Most likely” Justin Fields won’t be active, which would mean Nick Foles will be the backup.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) November 23, 2021

Dalton replaced the injured Fields against Baltimore and completed 11-of-23 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was notched with under two minutes remaining to boost the Bears to a 13-9 lead that the defense couldn't hold through Baltimore's final offensive possession.

Nagy's update came following a report that claims the Bears told him Monday he will be fired as head coach after Thursday's matchup. Nagy has since denied that story, and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, who filled in as temporary head coach when Nagy was sidelined with COVID-19 earlier this season, said he knows nothing about Nagy's alleged impending dismissal.

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