Bears coach Matt Eberflus confirmed Friday that quarterback Justin Fields will sit out Sunday's home game against the Raiders with a dislocated right thumb.
The third-year pro sustained the injury in the third quarter of last Sunday's loss to the Vikings when he fell awkwardly on his hand while being sacked by Danielle Hunter.
"He'll be out this week, but he's improving," Eberflus said. "The mobility's getting better, the swelling went down, the grip strength is better. It's trending in the right direction. He'll be week-to-week and we'll know more Monday."
Undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent will make his first NFL start Sunday in place of Fields. Bagent relieved Fields versus Minnesota, completing 10 of 14 passes for 83 yards and rushing for a 1-yard touchdown.
Asked if the Bears were planning to place Fields on injured reserve, Eberflus said: "We're not on that path right now. Like I said, we're trending in the right direction."
When Fields' thumb is reevaluated Monday, the Bears hope to see continued improvement in terms of more mobility, increased grip strength and less swelling.
"Hopefully he'll start gripping a football and then progressing from there, start throwing a little bit and we'll see where it goes," Eberflus said.
Right guard Nate Davis has also been ruled out of Sunday's game with an ankle injury he sustained last weekend against the Vikings. In addition, reserve offensive lineman Dan Feeney is listed as questionable with a knee injury that limited him in practice Friday.
There was some positive injury news involving the offensive line, however, as rookie right tackle Darnell Wright practiced without restrictions Friday after being limited by a shoulder injury Thursday. The first-round pick from Tennessee is questionable on the injury report, but Eberflus said that Wright is expected to play.
"It's good to have Darnell back today," Eberflus said. "Darnell Wright did a good job in practice today. He moved around well. We'll assess that as the weekend goes here, but it looked like he was in a good spot."
The Bears secondary remains at less than full strength. Safety Eddie Jackson (foot) and cornerback Terell Smith (illness) have been ruled out of Sunday's game, while safety Jaquan Brisker is questionable with a groin injury that limited him in Friday's practice.
"Brisker, he had a little groin tightness today during practice," Eberflus said. "He started out practice and we sat him out the last few periods. We feel he's in a good spot there, too, but we'll have to assess him later today and see where he is."
The Bears also continue to be shorthanded at running back. Khalil Herbert remains on injured reserve with an ankle injury and rookie Roschon Johnson will miss his second straight game with a concussion he suffered Oct. 5 in a win over the Commanders.
Eberflus said that Johnson still being in concussion protocol is "always a concern."
"You're more concerned for the individual, to make sure they're OK, because that's a real deal," Eberflus said. "When you go through concussion protocol, everybody's different. Sometimes guys come right back; it's not that big of a deal. And then some guys have lasting effects. That's why the NFL has put that concussion protocol in, and it's for a great reason. We're stepping in the right direction when it comes to that. He just is where he is right now. He's progressing and hopefully he works forward to that where he can come back."
