Jay Cutler injury: Bears QB ‘looking good’ says Love Smith, expects to start

Following Friday’s practice, Bears head coach Lovie Smith spoke about Cutler’s status. Here are his quotes, via the Chicago Sun-Times:

Cutler is currently is listed as questionable on the Bears depth chart, and still needs to pass the final test in the NFL’s concussion protocol. If he is cleared by the neurologist, Cutler will play Sunday against Minnesota.

Cutler engaged in limited participation with the first-team offense during practice on Thursday, but he still must be examined and cleared by an independent neurologist before he can suit up on Sunday. The Bears’ season could be at the tipping point, which makes Cutler’s status a huge storyline this week. The Bears have lost two straight games, and now they are behind the Green Bay Packers in the division standings. If they lose to the Vikings, they will drop to third place in the NFC North, by virtue of NFL tiebreaker rules.

The Vikings and Bears are set to kick off at Soldier Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.

The Bears are now tied for first place in the NFC North with the Packers, and the Vikings, who visit this week, are just one game back.

On the season, Cutler has completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 1,814 yards with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Campbell last started a game for the Oakland Raiders, where he started the first six games of the 2011 season before breaking his collarbone. The Bears signed him in the offseason to serve as a veteran backup to Cutler, who missed seven games last season with a broken thumb.

The Bears starting quarterback has yet to miss a full game this season, though Jason Campbell has taken a few snaps in his place in the weeks prior to this one. This is the sixth time in his career that Cutler has suffered a concussion.

Cutler leaves the game 7-for-14 with 40 yards. he ran the ball three times for 37 yards.