Fields set to return vs. Lions after 4-game absence

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is expected to return for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions after missing the last month with a thumb injury, head coach Matt Eberflus announced Wednesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Eberflus added that Fields is "progressing well" after practicing in a limited capacity all of last week.

Undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent took over for Fields, leading the Bears to a 2-2 record while throwing for 859 yards and three touchdowns against six interceptions.

Fields began a likely make-or-break season in Chicago poorly. He had only 99 passing yards in a Week 3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and failed to throw for more than one touchdown in each of his first three games.

However, the 24-year-old caught fire in the two games prior to his injury, throwing eight scores against just one pick while averaging 9.65 yards per attempt in a loss to the Denver Broncos and a win over the Washington Commanders.

With the Bears currently holding the No. 1 pick (via the Carolina Panthers) and the No. 5 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Fields' future with the Bears could be determined by his performances in the second half of the season.