Bears place QB Justin Fields on reserve/COVID-19 list

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Bears place rookie QB Justin Fields on reserve/COVID-19 list

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 1/6/22

Possibly for the final time, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy named his starting quarterback on Wednesday. The plan was for rookie quarterback Justin Fields to be under center for the 13th time this season (11th start) in Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings.

COVID-19 has thrown a wrench into those plans.

#Bears roster move:
We have placed QB Justin Fields on Reserve/COVID-19.
— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) January 6, 2022

Fields was chosen by the Bears with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and in 10 starts this season, the team has gone 2-8. The 22-year-old has gone 159-for-270 on his pass attempts (58.9%) for 1,870 yards and seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions, while adding 72 carries for 420 yards and two touchdowns on the ground as well.

If Fields doesn't play against the Vikings, the starting gig in the regular-season finale would likely go to Andy Dalton. In Dalton's seven contests (five starts) this season, the Bears have gone 3-2, while the "Red Rifle" has gone 116-for-188 (61.7%) for 1,190 passing yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Third-string quarterback Nick Foles has played in and started just one game this season. The former Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl MVP helped Chicago earn a Week 16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks by going 24-for-35 for 250 yards and one touchdown against no interceptions.

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