Coach Matt Eberflus indicated that we can expect to see the Bears' healthy starters play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Chiefs, Alyssa Barbieri of USA Today reports. At this stage, Fields doesn't have any reported injury concerns.

EDGE Analysis

According to Eberflus, the Chicago starters will play 15 to 20 snaps, though some will play 10 to 15 snaps. In his first training camp as the starting quarterback, Fields will also be running the team's new offensive system.

Fields will play in the Bears' preseason opener Aug. 13 against the Chiefs, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Not only is Fields entering his first full preseason as the Bears' starting quarterback, but he's also learning new head coach Matt Eberflus' offensive system. In addition, Chicago has quite a few new receivers fighting for roles, so the preseason may be more important for the Bears than for many other teams. Overall, any reps that Fields gets in the preseason can only help his development. Although he's typically being selected outside the top 12 quarterbacks in most redraft formats, Fields' rushing ability gives him the upside to finish well above his average draft position.

Fields now has two receivers that run a sub-4.4 40-yard dash after the Bears added Velus Jones in the third round of the NFL Draft, Adam Jahns of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones, who ran a 4.31 40-yard dash, joins Darnell Mooney as the second receiver on the Bears with elite speed. During the offseason, the Bears made it a point to add weapons to complement Fields' arm strength when signing Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown, but Jones adds another level of speed to the mix. If the team can put together an offense that combines Fields' running ability with a downfield-passing element, he could emerge as a strong fantasy starter with elite upside this season.

Fields is learning a new offense that's expected to cater to his strengths, the Bears' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

After entering his rookie season as a backup, Fields now enters camp working with the starters, though he'll again be learning a new offensive system. With the coaching staff intent on putting Fields' in the best position to succeed, it's likely that his running ability along with his ability to throw deep will be prioritized. Fields' average of 56 rushing yards over the last five games of his rookie season shows he can be a useful fantasy contributor even if the Chicago passing game is a work in a progress under new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

The Bears activated Fields (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Adam Hoge of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fields spent exactly one week on the COVID-19 list as a result of a positive test for the virus, forcing him to sit out the Bears' season finale. He thus ended his rookie campaign with 12 appearances, 10 of them starts, en route to 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 59 percent passing. The 2021 first-round pick also racked up 72 carries for 420 yards and two more scores. With Andy Dalton and potentially Nick Foles iffy to be around next season, Fields doesn't have any impediments to the starting quarterback gig in Chicago moving forward.

Fields remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list in advance of Sunday's game against the Vikings, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

As a result, Andy Dalton is in line to start Sunday's season finale against Minnesota, with Nick Foles slated to serve as the Bears' backup QB in the absence of Fields, who landed on the list Thursday. Fields will conclude his rookie campaign with 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 59 percent passing and 72 carries for 420 yards and two more TDs in 12 appearances, 10 of them starts.

The Bears placed Fields on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

According to Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune, Fields is vaccinated, which confirms he tested positive for the virus. While he theoretically has a chance to test out of the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocol ahead of Sunday's game in Minnesota, the timing of his placement on the list means that he'll more than likely be out for the regular-season finale. Andy Dalton will presumably prepare to make his second straight start, while Fields likely ends his rookie season with a 58.9 percent completion rate for 1,870 yards and a 7:10 TD:INT over 12 appearances. He also added 420 yards and two scores on the ground.

Head coach Matt Nagy said Fields (ankle) will return to full practice participation Wednesday and then start Sunday's game in Minnesota, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

A couple weeks back, Nagy made it clear he'd be cautious with Fields, saying the rookie would need to be "extremely healthy" to return to game action. That's apparently now the case, after Nick Foles and Andy Dalton led the Bears to wins the past two weeks. Fields was showing improvement before suffering the ankle injury, including in his last appearance, which came Week 15 against the same Vikings team he'll face again in the season finale. The rookie threw for 285 yards and a touchdown in the first matchup, though his lost fumble and struggles on third and fourth downs contributed to an all-around sloppy effort that left the Bears with a 17-9 loss despite out-gaining the Vikings by nearly 200 yards. Both Fields and Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins will return Sunday for what's almost certainly the final duel between Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer and Bears head coach Matt Nagy.

Fields (ankle) should start Sunday against the Vikings if he's healthy, Adam Hoge of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Matt Nagy emphasized Monday that Fields' Week 18 status will be determined based on how he feels in the coming days, but the rookie is in line to start the regular-season finale if he's cleared to play. Fields was limited in each practice session ahead of the team's Week 17 win over the Giants before being deemed inactive, so he could have to log at least one full practice ahead of Sunday's game against Minnesota if he hopes to play. Andy Dalton drew the start in Week 17 and completed 18 of 35 passes for 173 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Fields (ankle) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

The writing was on the wall for Fields when coach Matt Nagy named Andy Dalton (hand) the Bears' Week 17 starter at quarterback and Nick Foles the No. 2 on Friday. Fields has yet to put in anything more than a limited practice since injuring his ankle in a Week 15 loss to the Vikings, meaning he may need to get back to all activity before Nagy feels comfortable enough for the rookie signal-caller to return to action. While Fields will sit for the fourth time in six games, his next opportunity to play will come next Sunday at Minnesota.