The holiday season is just a few weeks away from kicking into high gear, meaning we're running out of weekends to check things off the list. Well, the Week 10 NFL prime-time slate might be a golden opportunity to get some odds and ends done. However, for the football-crazed lunatics like us, Thursday night brings a beauty of a matchup between the Panthers and Bears, and it might also bring the return of the injured Justin Fields (thumb).
Both teams are battling for the top pick in next year's draft, except the Bears own both team's selections. So, no matter what happens on Amazon Prime, the Bears have already won. Now all that's left to do is ponder what will happen with Fields, who we haven't seen since Week 6. The quarterback was playing at a high level when he dislocated his thumb, but will he be healthy enough in time to avoid missing a fourth straight game?
We'll continue to update this article with news on Fields until the official active/inactive report comes out on Thursday around 6:45 p.m. ET, so check back for the latest.
MORE THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
DK lineup | FD lineup | ATS pick | Best props | Start-sit | Herbert update
Is Justin Fields playing Thursday night Week 10?
UPDATE: Fields was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday. The team held a walk-through again, so the quarterback's status is an estimation, leaving us without much insight into whether he will play.
UPDATE 2: Despite practicing throughout the week, Bears' coach Matt Eberflus said on Wednesday that Fields is not medically cleared to return yet, and he's officially listed as "doubtful" for Thursday night's game. Tyson Bagent has already been announced as Chicago's starting QB.
After missing the past three games, Fields could be nearing a return even on a short week against the Panthers. The quarterback suffered a dislocated thumb in Week 6, which hindered his ability to grip the ball. In the meantime, Tyson Bagent has started for the Bears, leading them to a 1-2 record. Fields turned in a limited practice on Friday before Week 10, and he was an estimated "limited" on Monday.
It looks like we'll be playing the waiting game as we count down to the Week 10 TNF kickoff. Tuesday's practice update will likely indicate what direction Fields is trending in. If he remains out, we'll be in line for another Bagent start, his second in prime time. The rookie is at his best thus far when using his legs, otherwise tossing three touchdowns to six interceptions. However, Bagent hasn't been a complete bust, showcasing some level of pocket presence. Tight end Cole Kmet has benefited the most, turning in his two best performances of the season to this point.
If Fields can get back on the field, Chicago will hope that he learned something from Bagent's quicker decision-making. Still, Fields is obviously the better quarterback and the better fantasy option, largely thanks to his rushing ability and high ceiling. It seems like a long time ago, but Fields was on a roll before getting hurt, tossing four touchdowns in back-to-back games in what might be the best games of his career so far.
The outlook for the Bears' quarterback is also helped by the presence of a beaten-down Panthers' defense. Already thin in the secondary, Carolina has a CVS-receipt-long list of injuries to deal with, notably to pass-rusher Brian Burns and cornerback CJ Henderson. Now it's just whether Fields plays. If he does, he'll be a worthwhile fantasy starter in a week with Tua Tagovailoa, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Matthew Stafford on bye, and his presence should also help DJ Moore.
