CHICAGO -- Justin Fields, the Chicago Bears' rookie quarterback, will face the Detroit Lions in Week 3, the team announced Saturday night.
Matt Nagy, Coach, stated that he would decide between veteran Andy Dalton and Fields in the game's final minutes. However, Dalton was downgraded to doubtful by the team due to a bone bruise on his left knee.
Fields was No. Fields -- selected No. 11 in the NFL Draft -- hopes to rebound from Chicago's devastating 26-6 loss to Cleveland Browns last week.
He said that he felt more at ease this week than last week's. "Just getting the basics under my belt and moving on from that," he added. It doesn't get any worse than this. I don't think so. However, I felt very comfortable this week."
Fields was sacked nine times by Cleveland in his rookie NFL start. He was held to only 6 of 20 passes for 68 yards, and just 12 rushing yards on three occasions.
Fields sustained a right thumb injury during the Browns game. However, Fields was able to participate in all of the week's practice and didn't receive an injury report.
Nagy stated that Justin's last week's game was a great example of what he can do and that he will continue to learn from it. We, Nagy, and I, must help him. He should know that he is important. Here is how I felt on game day. How do I plan to get through this week? Am I getting better? Are there any improvements? Are I improving at the things that I used to be good at? Are I improving at things I was not so good at?
"And that's exactly what we're doing during the week of practice as coaches, is being in a position to observe him and see his progress. From last week to this week, I can confirm that there is progress. Knowing and feeling the way he practiced is why I would answer that question.
Nagy repeatedly insists that Dalton is the Bears' starting QB when healthy, but the 33 year-old is still restricted by the knee injury he sustained in Week 2 against Cincinnati Bengals.
Dalton stated Friday that he felt good. "When you have an injury, you want to get back to your best as soon as you can. Everything is moving in the right direction, and things are improving. I feel happy about where I am.
