Bears training camp update: Andy Dalton says Justin Fields will have a great career, but ‘now it’s my time’

It must be an awkward time to be Andy Dalton.

He’s the starting quarterback in the third-largest market in the NFL. Yet, all anyone wants to know is when rookie Justin Fields is going to play. Fields’ performance in Saturday’s preseason game against Miami only added fuel to the fire.

[ After slow start, Bears rookie QB Justin Fields finds his groove in preseason opener ]

The fans who were in attendance Saturday were there for one reason – to see Fields’ debut. Asked Wednesday if all the Fields hype makes things awkward for Dalton, the veteran quarterback said it’s just not something he can focus on.

“Like I’ve said before, Justin is going to have his time and Justin is going to have a great career, but right now it’s my time,” Dalton said. “And so my focus is on being the best player I can be for this team and do everything I can to help this team win.”

He’s not wrong. It is Dalton’s time. The question is for how much longer?

Dalton and the first-team offense got off to an uninspiring start last weekend, punting on two consecutive drives and failing to pick up a first down. In fairness to Dalton, Fields’ big day would’ve been much less impressive had the rookie been limited to only his first two possessions. Not until his fourth series did Fields find his groove Saturday.

“Andy had six plays, and yeah, it’s hard to say much good or bad about that with the six plays,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said. “So we’re going to get him some more snaps this coming preseason game.”

The Bears host the Buffalo Bills on Saturday at Soldier Field. Dalton said he felt there was plenty of excitement for him, too, when the first-team offense took the field last weekend.

“I’ve been through a ton in my career,” Dalton said. “And so I think all the experiences that I’ve gone through have helped me get to this point right now. I know that I’m supposed to be on this team. I know that I’m a big leader on this team, and I know God has put me in this spot for a reason.”

Practice report: The big news Wednesday was that rookie offensive tackle Teven Jenkins will have surgery on his back.

[ Bears offensive tackle Teven Jenkins to undergo back surgery ]

Fields was limited in practice Wednesday by a groin injury. The rookie did participate in a “throw it in the bucket” competition with the other quarterbacks. They each threw several balls toward a garbage can positioned in the corner of the end zone. Dalton made the most into the bucket.

Defensive tackle Eddie Goldman injured his back Tuesday and did not participate Wednesday. Tight end Cole Kmet (hamstring) was limited.

In positive injury news, guard James Daniels, tight end J.P. Holtz, linebacker Roquan Smith, linebacker Josh Woods, defensive back Tre Roberson and outside linebacker Robert Quinn all returned to practice.

Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks left practice early Tuesday. Nagy declined to provide any update on Hicks, who returned Wednesday.

“There’s no update,” Nagy said Wednesday. “He’s back today. That’s the only thing that matters.”

Hicks missed one practice earlier in training camp with “foot soreness” but otherwise has been a full participant.

Behind the scenes, Hicks’ camp is pushing for a contract extension. The 31-year-old is in the final year of his contract. He has declined to speak with the media since the end of last season.

Daniels weighs in on Jenkins’ injury: Daniels, the expected starting right guard, returned to practice for the first time since Aug. 2. The 23-year-old was dealing with a thigh injury. This came after he missed half of last season with a torn pectoral muscle, which apparently is about as painful as it sounds.

Daniels’ arm was in a sling for a while. His mom moved in with him because he couldn’t drive himself. He got to spend a lot of time with his mom, his girlfriend and his cat.

Coming off such a major injury, Daniels knows a thing or two about what the rookie Jenkins is going through.

“I told him the same thing people last year told me. The good news for Teven, he’s young and he still has so much time to develop and grow into a very great player,” Daniels said. “I don’t know the details of his surgery, but, I mean, if he misses a full season or not, the good news is he has the full offseason.”