The Chicago Bears will start Andy Dalton in Thursday's matchup against the Detroit Lions due to Justin Fields' rib injury, head coach Matt Nagy announced Tuesday, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
Dalton stepped in for Fields after the rookie quarterback was injured in Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He completed 11 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns, including a 49-yard score that put Chicago ahead with less than two minutes remaining.
Fields reportedly underwent further testing on his rib injury Monday, and the turnaround is believed to be too quick for him to play on Thursday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The Bears have relied on Dalton before, with the veteran opening the season as the starting quarterback before Fields took over. The 34-year-old has thrown for just 262 yards with one touchdown and one interception in his two starts in 2021.
Detroit may counter with a backup quarterback of its own for the Thursday meeting. Jared Goff missed Week 11 due to an oblique injury, which led to Tim Boyle getting the start. It remains to be seen whether Goff can return in time for the Thanksgiving contest.
The Bears are third in the NFC North at 3-7, while the winless Lions reside at the bottom of the division at 0-9-1.