Cutler playing it safe

A day after he was able to throw some intermediate passes in a limited practice, injured quarterback Jay Cutler did not practice Thursday, but coach John Fox said it wasn't because of a setback.

"We just didn't want to aggravate it more," Fox said of the sprained thumb that kept Cutler out in Week Three. "A thumb on the throwing hand of a quarterback is a delicate situation. So we just figured we wouldn't go out there and have any stress on it. No setbacks. Just healing."

Cutler was questionable for last week's game and is likely to be listed that way Friday, although it's doubtful he will play.

Fox, who returned to practice Thursday after flu-like symptoms sidelined him a day earlier, characterized Cutler's Wednesday activity as minimal.

"It doesn't take too much to quantify 'limited,'" the coach said. "We just felt it was better to have him rehab (Thursday) and continue to strengthen it."

Brian Hoyer, who had a passer rating of 93.7 filling in for Cutler last week, is expected to be the starter Sunday against the Lions.

"I thought he did a good job," offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said of the veteran's first start as a Bear. "He came in and had a lot of opportunities to throw the football, and I thought he did his part."

Aerial test:

The Bears' pass defense, which is allowing 214.3 yards per game, 10th best in the league, will get a challenge this week at home against the Lions.

Only Drew Brees and Kirk Cousins have more passing yards than the 985 Detroit's Matthew Stafford has accumulated, and Stafford's 105.1 passer rating is sixth in the NFL.

"He's playing very well," Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "His statistics bear that out and the film bears that out. He's got great arm talent, he's very accurate, got a great release. You can see where he's really feeling comfortable in this offense. They're spreading the ball all around. They've gotten hot with No. 11 Marvin Jones, that's a new receiver for them."

Jones signed with the Lions in free agency and is flourishing away from the shadow of A.J. Green in Cincinnati. After three games, he led the league with 408 yards and 22.7 yards per catch.

"They've got a lot of weapons, and he's been getting a lot of single coverage," Fangio said. "The quarterback's been doing a good job of finding him."

Running back Theo Riddick has caught 16 passes for 130 yards, tight end Eric Ebron has 14 catches for 168 yards, followed by wide receivers Golden Tate (13 catches, 94 yards) and Anquan Boldin (11-for-105).

Better protection:

Brian Hoyer tossed 49 passes in Sunday night's loss to the Cowboys, but he was not sacked. Jay Cutler was sacked eight times in the first two weeks.

"We were much better in pass protection," offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. "Still too many negative runs, but we're much better in pass protection. Anytime that you've got to hold up in a game like that that gets lopsided, you start playing left-handed and throwing it, they did a nice job. Each one of them as a group stepped up and played better."

Injury update:

In addition to Jay Cutler (thumb) and running backs Ka'Deem Carey (hamstring) and Jeremy Langford (ankle), nose tackle Eddie Goldman (ankle), linebacker Danny Trevathan (thumb) and cornerback Jacoby Glenn (personal) did not practice.

Seven others were limited: wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (knee/hamstring), guard Josh Sitton (shoulder), defensive end Jonathan Bullard (toe), linebacker Willie Young (knee), safety Harold Jones-Quartey (concussion) and cornerbacks Sherrick McManis (hamstring) and Tracy Porter (knee).

Guard Kyle Long (shoulder), defensive lineman Mitch Unrein (knee) and linebacker Jerrell Freeman (ribs) returned to full practice after being limited on Wednesday.

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