Fields to start vs. Browns with Dalton out due to knee injury

The Chicago Bears will start rookie quarterback Justin Fields in Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns with Andy Dalton unable to play due to a knee injury, head coach Matt Nagy announced Wednesday.

Nagy reiterated that Dalton, who is reportedly dealing with a bone bruise, will remain Chicago's starter when he's healthy, per Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network. Nick Foles will act as Fields' backup in Week 3.

Dalton left Sunday's win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half after scrambling and landing awkwardly on Chicago's sideline. Fields entered the game and completed 6 of 13 passes for 60 yards and an interception while adding 31 yards on the ground.

The No. 11 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft put together a strong preseason, leading to significant support for the Bears to start him over Dalton, who joined Chicago as a free agent this offseason prior to the team drafting Fields.

However, the Bears remained committed to starting the veteran signal-caller, with Dalton pronouncing in August that "it's my time."

"I do," said Nagy when asked if he feels bad for Dalton, according to Adam Hoge of NBCS Chicago. "There's a human element when you play sports and the relationships you build. … His situation, that's real. You feel for him."

Fields starred for Ohio State in college, throwing for 5,373 yards and 63 touchdowns against nine interceptions in 22 games across two seasons. He also racked up 867 yards and 15 scores on the ground.