Bears QB Justin Fields not ready to test thumb

Rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent remains the starter for the Bears when Chicago visits the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Justin Fields is not ready to test his injured right thumb and remains week-to-week with a possibility of returning to practice next week.

The Bears (2-6) will return home from New Orleans (4-4) to a short week of preparation for a Thursday night game against the Carolina Panthers in Week 10.

Head coach Matt Eberflus labeled Fields "week to week," the same assessment given from the team since he was injured in the Oct. 15 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Bagent relieved Fields in that game and his comeback attempt came up short with a game-ending interception.

Bagent is 1-1 as a starter with one touchdown and three interceptions, but is completing 70 percent of his passes and has been sacked only three times. Fields was injured trying to escape pressure and was sacked 24 times in the first six games of the 2023 season.