Chicago Bears fans didn't have to wait long to see Justin Fields get snaps as their team's full-time quarterback in the regular season. If only his early, extended appearance on Sunday didn't come at the expense of an injury to Andy Dalton.
Dalton suffered an apparent non-contact injury in the second quarter of Chicago's Week 2 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Though the veteran signal-caller initially returned to the game after a brief exit, he ultimately went back to the Bears' locker room for further evaluation, clearing the way for Fields to take over.
Andy Dalton leaves with a non-contact injury, and Justin Fields is now in for the Bears.@NFLonFOX | #DaBearspic.twitter.com/N4PkFBYXFB
— FanSided (@FanSided) September 19, 2021
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Dalton is questionable to return to the action with a knee injury.
Bears’ QB Andy Dalton has gone back to the locker room and now is questionable to return with a knee injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 19, 2021
Fields went 2-of-2 for 10 yards and a rushing touchdown in his NFL debut last week, spelling Dalton—who won the Bears' starting job in training camp—on a diet of scripted plays. Even if Dalton hadn't suffered an injury, though, the Ohio State product was poised to see “increased snaps” against the Bengals, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday morning.
“He's growing every day. There are wow moments, wow throws every single day in practice,” Rapoport said. “He's actually coming along faster than they expected. They are essentially head over heels in love with him. They use these packages as growth moments for Fields. No moment is too big, so expect to see for him.”
Dalton, signed to a one-year deal by Chicago in March, completed 27-of-38 passes for 206 yards and an interception in the Bears' ugly Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
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