By: Jimmie Sykes

What initially appeared to be a manageable stretch on the Bears' schedule quickly turned into another challenging phase. The offense seemed to have found their stride in the previous two contests, with Fields throwing four touchdown passes each game. However, the harsh reality struck again as it unfolded on their home field.

The Chicago Bears continue to grapple with injuries, a recurring theme in their tumultuous 2023 campaign. In week six, their matchup against the Vikings marked the first time that Jaylon Johnson, Eddie Jackson, Kyler Gordon, and Jaquan Brisker had played together since week one. Unfortunately, Chicago has been hit with another significant injury during their loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Bears starting quarterback, Justin Fields, is dealing with a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand and is listed as doubtful for the upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

"No timetable. It's going to come down to grip strength... should know more at the end of the week. Is he going to play this week? Looks doubtful," said Eberflus on Fields’ injury.

Chicago's defense displayed formidable performances against a team missing their star wide receiver, Justin Jefferson. However, the Bears' offense struggled against the Vikings' defense, renowned for its aggressive blitzing, more so than any other team in the league. Fields suffered the injury during a play in the third quarter while throwing the ball out of bounds.

He finished the game with a 6/10 stat line for 58 yards and an interception. During his time on the field, the offense struggled to gain momentum and made no adjustments to the constant pressure they faced.

Undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent entered the game, experiencing regular-season action late in the third quarter. His first drive resulted in a fumble, returned 42 yards for a touchdown by Jordan Hicks.

However, Bagent managed to complete a scoring drive, finding the end zone with a quarterback run, marking his first career touchdown. He had an opportunity to lead the Bears to victory but was intercepted just before the two-minute warning. Bagent completed the game with a 10/14 stat line, accumulating 83 yards and one interception.

“Football is football. Football field is the same size, 11 on 11. You're either going to throw the ball or pass the ball. I thought it was similar but different with the different pressures that they were showing,” said Bagent when asked about preseason play compared to the regular season.

Despite the loss, the Bears now have a full week for Bagent to take first-team reps, allowing him to prepare for the upcoming game against Las Vegas.

Currently standing at 1-5, Chicago can only hope for a miraculous spark to secure their second win of the season without Justin Fields. Bagent electrified the Bears nation in the preseason, earning him the backup quarterback role over PJ Walker and Nathan Peterman. Hopefully, he can bring that same energy, with the fans rallying behind him if he gets the start.

What does this injury mean for Fields and the Bears?

This season has already been an uphill battle for the Bears. Losing Fields for a significant portion of the season will only hinder their chances of turning things around and competing.

With a worse record, comes a better chance at a high draft pick, as the Bears already own their pick and the winless Carolina Panthers' pick, which has a great chance of being the number one pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears should use this time to find their silver lining once more, as it quickly faded following Fields' hand injury.

General Manager Ryan Poles and Head Coach Matt Eberflus currently hold a collective 0-8 record when facing NFC North opponents. It has been a full year since the Bears secured a victory on their home field, and with two out of their next three games scheduled at Soldier Field, this drought is still of concern. Despite their 1-5 season start, there is still an opportunity to make a notable comeback, but the odds are stacked against them if Fields misses significant time.

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