Oct 20, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Andy Dalton (14) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Saints tab Andy Dalton for start again in Week 8

Andy Dalton is drawing the start at quarterback again for the New Orleans Saints this week despite a healthy Jameis Winston, the ordained starter to open the season.

Saints coach Dennis Allen on Wednesday called it an “offensive decision,” noting that Winston is healthy.

“… We’re going to continue with Andy,” Allen told reporters. “… No need to upset the apple cart.”

The Saints, who have lost two straight, host the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday.

Winston, 28, started the first three games before suffering back and ankle injuries. He went 1-2, completing 63.5 percent of his passes for 858 yards, with four touchdowns against five interceptions.

Dalton, who turns 35 on Saturday, has gone 1-3 as the starter, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 946 yards, with seven TDs against four INTs.

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, U.S.;  Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (2) runs for a touchdown after a catch against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium.

Nfl Eagles At Cardinals

Cards put Marquise Brown on IR; Saints to start Andy Dalton

The Arizona Cardinals elevated kicker Rodrigo Blankenship to the active roster ahead of Thursday night’s game against New Orleans and placed two players on injured reserve, including wide receiver Marquise Brown.

Meanwhile, the Saints are reportedly going to start Andy Dalton over Jameis Winston, who will be the emergency quarterback against the Cardinals. Taysom Hill will back up Dalton, according to ESPN.

The Cardinals also put offensive lineman Just Pugh on IR with a torn ACL. He’s out for the season.

Brown (foot) will have to miss at least four games but it’s expected he’ll be out longer than that anyway, perhaps six weeks. Brown was injured on the final play of the game in last Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks. He suffered a small non-surgical fracture in his foot.

The elevation of Blankenship means Matt Prater will miss a third straight game with a hip injury. The Cardinals also elevated running back Corey Clement to the active roster. Starting RB James Conner (ribs) is a gametime decision.

The Cardinals also activated OL Cody Ford from IR and it’s possible he’ll be active against the Saints. Ford, 25, began the season on IR. He played in 38 games (29 starts) from 2019-21 with the Buffalo Bills, who traded him to the Cardinals on Aug. 22 for a 2023 fifth-round draft pick.

The Cardinals have also ruled out LB Dennis Gardeck (ankle), C Rodney Hudson (knee) and RB Darrel Williams (knee).

The Saints are also without a host of players for Thursday night. Guard Andrus Peat is considered week-to-week with a pectoral strain and has been ruled out against the Cardinals.

Also ruled out for the game are wide receivers Michael Thomas (foot) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) cornerback Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) and tight end Adam Trautman (ankle)

Cornerback Paulson Adebo, tackle Calvin Throckmorton and defensive end Payton Turner are all questionable.

Additionally, the Saints cut wide receiver Keith Kirkwood, activated defensive back Alontae Taylor (knee) from injured reserve and elevated receiver Kevin White and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. from the practice squad ahead of Thursday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; New Orleans Saints quarterback Andy Dalton (14) gestures in the second half against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Saints 28-25. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

QB Andy Dalton to get third-straight start for Saints

The New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen named veteran backup quarterback Andy Dalton as the team’s starter for a third consecutive week as Jameis Winston continues to battle injuries.

Dalton, 34, has gone 1-1 as the Saints starter, throwing for 236 yards and a touchdown Oct. 2 in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings on in London, then guiding a victory over the Seattle Seahawks last week with 187 yards, one TD and an interception.

Winston has struggled in recent weeks with back and ankle injuries. He did return to practice this week but has been listed as limited.

Sunday’s game will pit the Saints at home against Dalton’s former team, the Cincinnati Bengals. The TCU product was a second-round draft pick by the Bengals in 2011.

Over nine seasons at Cincinnati, Dalton was 78-70-2 as a starter, completing 62.3 percent of his passes with 228 touchdowns and 136 interceptions. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2016.

Dalton is now with his third team in three seasons, playing for the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, one year after he saw time with the Chicago Bears. In 17 starts over the past three seasons, Dalton has gone 8-9.

Saints players who did not practice on Thursday included wide receivers Deonte Harty (foot), Jarvis Landry (ankle) and Michael Thomas (foot), as well as cornerback Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) and defensive end Payton Turner (chest).

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Andy Dalton (14) reacts after the game against the New York Giants during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Saints signing veteran QB Andy Dalton

The New Orleans Saints are signing veteran quarterback Andy Dalton to a one-year deal, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

ESPN said the contract was worth up to $6 million, including $3 million guaranteed.

Dalton played in eight games (six starts) with the Chicago Bears last season, completing 149 of 236 passes for 1,515 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Dalton, 34, will provide experience and insurance behind projected starter Jameis Winston, who inked a two-year, $28 million deal earlier this month. Saints head coach Dennis Allen also confirmed that part-time signal-caller Taysom Hill will become a full-time tight end moving forward.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Dalton has passed for 35,279 yards, 226 touchdowns and 135 interceptions in 152 games (148 starts) with the Cincinnati Bengals (2011-19), Dallas Cowboys (2020) and Bears.

–Field Level Media

Dec 5, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Andy Dalton (14) passes the football in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

Bears to start Andy Dalton over Nick Foles in home finale

The Chicago Bears named quarterback Andy Dalton to start in the team’s home finale Sunday against the New York Giants.

Dalton will take over from Nick Foles, who guided the Bears to a 25-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks last week to end a three-game losing streak. Foles had taken over for rookie QB Justin Fields, who was out with an ankle injury.

Dalton started the first two games of the season for the Bears, until he was replaced by Fields. Dalton also started in Weeks 12 and 13. Chicago is 2-2 in Dalton starts this season.

Dalton, 34, has passed for 1,017 yards this season with six touchdowns and six interceptions. He was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Dec. 23 but did not play last Sunday.

Foles threw for 250 yards with a TD and no interceptions against the Seahawks, making his first appearance this season after starting seven of the nine games he played for the Bears last season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 8, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Bears rookie QB Justin Fields to start vs. Packers

Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields received medical clearance and will start Sunday night when Chicago visits the Green Bay Packers.

Head coach Matt Nagy said Wednesday that the Bears have no physical limitations on Fields.

Fields has been sidelined with rib fractures sustained in the Bears’ 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 21.

Andy Dalton started the last two games for the Bears (4-8), who have dropped five of their last six contests heading into Sunday’s road game versus the Packers (9-3).

Fields, 22, has thrown for 1,361 yards with four touchdowns and eight interceptions in 10 games (eight starts) this season since being selected with the 11th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He also has rushed for 311 yards and two scores.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Andy Dalton (14) passes in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

Bears to start QB Andy Dalton on Thanksgiving

Andy Dalton will start at quarterback for the Chicago Bears on Thursday at Detroit.

Coach Matt Nagy confirmed the news Tuesday but added that rookie Justin Fields will regain the No. 1 job when he is healthy.

Fields suffered a rib injury in Sunday’s 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Sitting out the Thanksgiving Day game will give him another 10 days to recover before Chicago’s Dec. 5 date with the Arizona Cardinals.

Nick Foles likely will serve as the backup Thursday when the reeling Bears (3-7) try to snap their five-game losing streak against the winless Lions (0-9-1).

Dalton, 34, is 1-1 as a starter this season and has completed 48 of 73 passes for 471 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in four games.

Fields, 22, is 2-6 as the starter and has completed 115 of 198 passes for 1,361 yards with four touchdowns and eight interceptions. The first-round draft pick has also rushed 56 times for 311 yards and two scores.

Foles, 32, has not seen any action this season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 3, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) leaves the field after the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

‘This is Justin’s time’: Bears name rookie Fields as starting QB

Rookie Justin Fields will be the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears — at least for the foreseeable future.

Just two days ago, coach Matt Nagy said Andy Dalton would return to the starting role when he had fully recovered from a knee injury. But Wednesday, Nagy said Dalton was cleared to return to practice but he’d be doing so as No. 2 on the depth chart.

Fields, who won his first NFL game on Sunday in a 24-14 victory over the Detroit Lions, has earned the starting job, Nagy said.

“This is Justin’s time, we’re so confident moving forward,” he said Wednesday.

Fields will start Sunday for the Bears (2-2) when they meet the Raiders (3-1) in Las Vegas.

“What needs to be understood (is) the plan and process we had going into this was important,” Nagy said. “When Andy got hurt with his knee, that sped the plan up. I have always said from the beginning, we’ll know and he’s done everything to show us he’s ready for this opportunity.”

Dalton injured his left knee in the second quarter of a Sept. 19 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Fields, the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, completed 11 of 17 passes for 209 yards with one interception against the Lions.

Fields, 22, has completed 48.1 percent of his passes for 347 yards, two picks and no touchdowns this season. He has rushed for 55 yards and one score.

Dalton, who turns 34 this month, has completed 73.5 percent of his throws for 262 yards with one TD and one pick.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) reaches for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Fields practices in full, Andy Dalton limited for 2nd straight day

The Chicago Bears received the full participation of rookie quarterback Justin Fields at practice for the second straight day Thursday, easing concerns about his availability for Chicago’s next game against the Detroit Lions at home Sunday.

Nose tackle Eddie Goldman (knee) also worked out without restrictions.

Fields, the No. 11 overall draft pick in this spring’s draft, suffered a right thumb injury in his first career start against the Cleveland Browns last Sunday. The Bears lost 26-6 as Fields completed just 6 of 20 passes for 68 yards.

Several teammates have been impressed by his response to that outing.

“When you go through a day like we went through on Sunday, that’s tough on everybody, especially the quarterback and especially for your first start,” tight end Cole Kmet told the team site. “It’s been cool to see his attitude towards it and him wanting to get back to work this week. I’m still excited for him. He’s an unbelievable player and I think that’s going to show.”

The position, however, remains a mystery. The Bears’ previous starting quarterback, Andy Dalton, was limited Thursday with an injured knee, and Bears head coach Matt Nagy has expressed a preference for starting Dalton.

“Andy’s the 1, Justin’s the 2 and Nick is the 3,” Nagy said earlier this week. “The starter will be sorted out once we have a clearer picture.”

Dalton was joined by wide receiver Darnell Mooney (groin) on the limited list, while linebacker Khalil Mack (foot), cornerback Xavier Crawford (back), safety Tashaun Gipson (hamstring), linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (hamstring) and tight end Jesse James (personal) were held out.

–Field Level Media

Sep 19, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) gets tripped up by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Cameron Sample (96) during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Bears name QB Justin Fields starter for Week 3

Chicago Bears rookie Justin Fields has been named the team’s starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Browns in Cleveland.

Andy Dalton is battling through a bone bruise in his knee. Nick Foles will back up Fields.

Bears coach Matt Nagy said Wednesday that Dalton will return as the starter once he’s healthy.

Dalton was injured in the first half of last Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Dalton’s longtime former team. The QB grabbed his lower left leg following a sack in the second quarter. On the next play, he broke from the pocket to escape pressure and scurried out of bounds, again reaching for the outside of his leg as he returned to the Bears’ bench.

Fields took over after halftime with the host Bears leading the Bengals, 7-3.

Dalton finished 9 of 11 for 56 yards passing and a touchdown. Fields completed 6 of 13 pass attempts for 60 yards and an interception. He also rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries.

On the season, Dalton has completed 73.5 percent of his passes for 262 yards, with a TD and an INT for the Bears (1-1).

The Browns are 1-1.

–Field Level Media