The Bears held tryouts for three quarterbacks Tuesday and signed Trace McSorley to their practice squad, which appears to be a precaution in case starter Justin Fields goes on injured reserve.
If they put Fields on IR, meaning he’ll miss a minimum of four games, they could add McSorley to their active roster and designate him as their emergency third quarterback Sunday against the Raiders. Those roster moves need to be completed by Saturday afternoon.
The team already is preparing for Fields to be out Sunday against the Raiders, leaving undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent to start and Nathan Peterman as the backup.
Fields is nearly certain to miss time after dislocating his thumb on his throwing hand and would be out a minimum of four games if the Bears put him on IR. He’d be eligible to return Week 11 at the Lions after missing the Raiders game, back-to-back visits to the Chargers and Saints and a home game against the Panthers.
McSorley, 28, beat out former Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book and Virginia product Bryce Perkins for the spot despite no past experience with coach Matt Eberflus or offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.
He has been in the NFL since 2019 and played nine games. The Ravens drafted him in the sixth round out of Penn State that year, and he played three games in three seasons.
He was with the Cardinals last season and played six games. He made his only career start in Week 16 against the Buccaneers and completed 24 of 45 passes for 217 yards with no touchdown passes and one interception.
The Bears also gave tryouts to wide receiver Keke Coutee (Texas Tech), running back Jake Bargas (North Carolina) and wide receiver Vyncint Smith (Limestone).
