Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will sit out Sunday’s tilt with the Titans as he continues to recover from an injury to his throwing shoulder. Cutler is dealing with tendonitis and a partially torn labrum that could end his season. For now, Matt Barkley will start in his place.
Jay Cutler out for Sunday’s Bears vs. Titans game
Bears coach John Fox did indicate, however, that the injury is not necessarily season-ending.
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Bears coach John Fox, however, remained less direct when asked about the nature of his QB’s injury.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Fox suggested the injury may not be as bad as reported. “Tear is kind of a broad term,” Fox said. “(Cutler’s shoulder) is sore. There is soreness to it. But there are a lot of things in the shoulder that can affect the quarterback.”
In the same report, Fox indicated that the team does not believe Cutler’s injury is season-ending. He also did not rule out Cutler for Sunday’s matchup at first, but now it has become clear that Cutler has not progressed sufficiently in his recovery. Matt Barkley will earn the start for the Bears at home Sunday vs. the Titans, with the recently signed David Fales backing up Barkley.
Cutler was hurt during Week 11’s loss to the Giants, with the veteran QB reportedly playing through the injury for the remainder of the game. Despite that, the Bears will sit him this week. At 2-8 and with little hope of making the playoffs, the Bears seem to have decided it may not be worth risking their investment in Cutler, who still has four seasons and just under $75 million remaining on his contract after this season.
Cutler’s setback adds to a lengthy list of injuries for the Bears, who have lost several starters to the injury bug this season.
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