Bears quarterback Justin Fields' status for Sunday's home game against the Raiders remains the same, but his long-term prognosis is still being evaluated.
Coach Matt Eberflus reiterated Wednesday what he had said Monday: that Fields likely won't play versus Las Vegas due to a dislocated right thumb that forced him to exit last Sunday's loss to the Vikings in the third quarter.
"It still comes down to the grip strength, where he is later in the week," Eberflus said. "We'll see. Right now, he's working with the trainers and that's progressing well. We'll see where it is. We still think he's doubtful for this week."
Undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent is expected to start in place of Fields Sunday.
While Eberflus revealed that the swelling in Fields' thumb has "gone down some," the third-year quarterback did not practice Wednesday. Asked if surgery could be a possibility, Eberflus said: "I believe we'll have some clarity later in the week, hopefully. We'll see where it is later in the week. Nothing's off the table, nothing's on the table right now."
Eberflus also reiterated what he had said Monday about right guard Nate Davis: that he is not expected to play against the Raiders after sustaining a high ankle sprain versus the Vikings. Davis did not practice Wednesday and is considered week-to-week.
Eberflus added that rookie running back Roschon Johnson remains in concussion protocol after getting injured against the Commanders and sitting out the Vikings game. But running back Travis Homer is expected to return this week after missing last Sunday's contest with a hamstring injury. Homer was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Wait and see: Eberflus said that safety Eddie Jackson left the Vikings game after a foot injury that had kept him out of the previous three contests "flared up."
The seventh-year pro was limited in Wednesday's workout.
"We're going to see where it is," Eberflus said before practice. "He's going to do individual [drills] and potentially do a little bit more today. We'll see how it goes. We'll see where it is today and then going through the week."
Line changes: The Bears have had to juggle their offensive line due to injuries and performance issues throughout the season, a fluidity that no doubt will continue this week.
Davis is hurt, left tackle Braxton Jones has missed the last four games with a neck injury and Lucas Patrick replaced Cody Whitehair at center in the second half last Sunday.
"This is a week-to-week thing," Eberflus said. "We've got to make sure we're putting the best players in position, and performance is a part of that, of course, and not only during the last game but during the week."
Last Sunday, Whitehair—who switched from left guard to center Oct. 5 against Washington when Patrick exited with a concussion—delivered a few errant shotgun snaps.
Asked if the seven-year veteran had had similar issues in practice, Eberflus said: "It's been a little bit during practice, some. But that's always an issue when you work through and change positions. It's not like it's been glaring. There's been some of it. But we've corrected it, made those adjustments. It's got to be better than what it was on Sunday."
Good energy: Eberflus was pleased with how the defense performed against the Vikings. The unit allowed its fewest touchdowns (1), first downs (12), total yards (220) and passing yards (174) of the season while recording its best third-down percentage (15.4% on 2-of-13 conversions).
The defense was buoyed by the return of defensive backs Jackson, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, all of whom had missed multiple games with injuries.
"The guys played with good energy," Eberflus said. "The guys knew what to do. They played fast, played with good fundamentals. I really liked the fundamentals and the detail of how they operated in a lot of different ways. The space tackling was much better. I thought the vision and break on the underneath throws was really good, and that's stuff we worked on. The coaches that I've been around always said you get what you emphasize. We emphasized that a lot last week. I certainly think continuity and getting other players back was helpful, too. I think it's all encompassing."
