Bears vs. Browns NFL Week 3 injury report, odds, spread: Andy Dalton will start over Justin Fields if healthy; Odell Beckham Jr. may play, Jarvis Landry doubtful

Chicago Bears fans are hoping that the Justin Fields Era will start under center this Sunday at the Cleveland Browns, and maybe it will. However, Coach Matt Nagy on Monday told reporters that Andy Dalton will be the guy if he's healthy. That's very much in doubt, however, as while Dalton apparently avoided a serious knee injury after being knocked out of Sunday's win over Cincinnati, he has a bone bruise. Meanwhile, the Browns could see the season debut of Odell Beckham Jr. but likely be without fellow wideout Jarvis Landry. Cleveland is -7.5 at Caesars Sportsbook.

Dalton didn't play in the second half of the 20-17 victory over the Bengals after he injured his knee on a 14-yard scramble in the second quarter when he landed awkwardly on the Chicago sideline. Initial exams showed show no ACL tear and no damage to the MCL. He was to have an MRI today. A bone bruise, though, generally means 1-2 weeks on the sideline at a minimum. Dalton finished 9-for-11 for 56 yards with a TD against the Bengals, but the Bears had only seven first-half-points.

Fields was 6-for-13 for 60 yards and a pick and rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries. Allen Robinson dropped what should have been a 35-yard TD pass from Fields, and tight end Jimmy Graham missed a block on what could have been a Fields touchdown run.

Rookie QBs rarely give the job back once they get on the field – see another Justin, Herbert, with the 2020 Chargers, for an example. It would be somewhat ironic for Fields to make his first start in Ohio as he starred about 140 miles from Cleveland at Ohio State.

"With Justin, he's probably further along than we thought at this point right now," Nagy said. "If that's the case [and Dalton has to miss time], we feel good about it with Justin. He has worked really, really hard to get to this point," Nagy said Sunday.

Fields is up to +600 to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, behind New England's Mac Jones (+350) and Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence (+550).

Cleveland also is 1-1 following Sunday's 31-21 win over Houston. Beckham has missed the first two games while continuing to work his way back from a torn left ACL but is trending toward playing against Chicago. Landry, his good buddy and former LSU teammate, suffered an MCL sprain in the victory and is being called "week-to-week." Ian Rapoport of NFL Network estimated that Landry could miss 2-3 weeks. Landry has six catches for 80 yards. 

Chicago has won the past three vs. the Browns but they haven't played since Christmas Eve 2017. 

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