Quarterback Andy Dalton will make his first start in nearly a month in the Chicago Bears’ home finale at Soldier Field on Sunday against the New York Giants.
Dalton hasn’t played since a 33-22 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 5. He broke a bone in his non-throwing hand in that loss, had a hip flexor strain during his recovery and tested positive for COVID-19 — all in the last month.
Now Dalton, who is nearing the end of his one-year contract with the Bears, will try to lead the Bears to their first back-to-back wins since Oct. 3 and 10. Rookie quarterback Justin Fields continues to recover from an ankle injury and is listed as questionable. Nick Foles, who led the Bears to a comeback victory over the Seattle Seahawks last week, will back up Dalton.
“It’s kind of been a crazy month for me,” Dalton said. “But I feel good about where I’m at now and my body feels healthy. And so I’m happy to be where I’m at now rather than where I was a few weeks ago.”
The Giants have lost four straight without quarterback Daniel Jones, who has a neck injury. They could use former Bears quarterback Mike Glennon and Jake Fromm in the game.
Both the Bears and the Giants have been eliminated from playoff contention, but the game could have significant meaning for one Bears player. Outside linebacker Robert Quinn will try to break the Bears’ single-season sacks record of 17 1/2 set by Richard Dent in 1984. Quinn has 17 on the season.
Injury report
Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday and was listed as questionable to play in the game.
Wide receiver Allen Robinson returned from his bout with COVID-19 to practice during the week after losing 10 pounds and battling fatigue and congestion. Bears coach Matt Nagy said the Bears have been monitoring how the players feel as they return from the illness.
Jesper Horsted and Joel Iyiegbuniwe were the only players remaining on the COVID-19 list Saturday morning.
“A-Rob’s done a good job this week of being able to get into football shape,” Nagy said. “Doesn’t mean they’re not tired. There are other guys too that have come off that list that talk about how winded they get. That’s all real. So it’s just a matter of each guy saying, ‘OK, here’s where I’m at,’ and then you maybe limit some snaps too for the guys and work through that.”
In other injury news, tight end J.P. Holtz is doubtful because of personal reasons. In addition to Hicks and Fields, Eddie Goldman (finger), Duke Shelley (heel), and Jason Peters (ankle) are also questionable.
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