No suprise: Both Cutler, Jeffery ruled out for Sunday
As expected, quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery have been ruled out for Sunday.
Cutler wasn't suited up at Friday's practice, but his strained hamstring didn't prevent him from throwing passes during the individual portion of practice that is open to the media. Jeffery was not at practice and is suffering from an illness in addition to his hamstring and calf injuries.
Cutler, who traveled to Seattle with the team Friday afternoon, appears close to returning. "I actually would've preferred to put him as doubtful," Fox said. "He doesn't have a torn ACL, he has a hamstring injury. It's kind of one day at a time to see how it improves. Mentally, he's been great. He's been a stud. He's been like he's been all year as far as his preparation. Everybody's all in to help Jimmy (Clausen) be the best he can be."
Clausen, who started 10 games for the Carolina Panthers as a rookie in 2010, will make his first Bears start since Week 16 last season, and his 12th overall.
"I thought he had a great week (of practice)," Fox said. "I thought the whole football team was very focused this week as they well should be going to play a team and in a venue like Seattle."
The Seahawks are 22-2 at CenturyLink Field since 2012.
It's been a frustrating season for Jeffery, who missed the entire preseason and also sat out last week's game vs. the Cardinals after playing in the season opener.
"Anytime a player gets hurt, there's an element of frustration, a little discouragement," Fox said. "But that's part of this game. You're going to get knocked down. What do you do? You get back up and bounce back. I don't expect anything different from him."
Gimmee the ball:
After two games with his new team, Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham has just 7 catches for 62 yards.
In his previous four seasons in New Orleans with the Saints, Graham averaged 89 receptions, 1,099 yards and 11 1/2 touchdowns.
The Seahawks' offensive play-calling hasn't been questioned so vociferously since the final 30 seconds of last season's Super Bowl.
Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio says there's nothing wrong with the athletically freakish, 6-foot-7, 265-pound matchup nightmare.
"He's still the same player," Fangio said. "He's obviously a great receiving threat, can high point the ball, (and is a) good runner after the catch. He's a size issue.
"Some people say he's such a good receiver you've got to put a DB on him, but others say a DB is too small to play him so you've got to go with a linebacker. You've got to mix it up."
Additional injuries:
In addition to Alshon Jeffery, two other wide receivers are at less than full strength.
Running back Matt Forte (knee), guard Matt Slauson (toe) and wide receiver Marquess Wilson (shoulder) are all probable after limited practices Friday.
Linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee), wide receiver Eddie Royal (hip/back), defensive lineman Ego Ferguson (knee) and cornerback Tracy Porter (hamstring) are all questionable after limited practice.
Linebacker Jon Bostic (ankle) did not practice and is doubtful.
For the Seahawks, defensive end Michael Bennett (toe) did not practice and running back Marshawn Lynch (calf) was limited.
Coming and going:
Defensive lineman Mitch Unrein was signed to the 53-man roster and defensive lineman Lavar Edwards, who played briefly in last week's game, was waived.
Unrein has played in 56 games, including three starts over five seasons with the Denver Broncos (2011-14), where he played for John Fox, and the San Diego Chargers (2015). He has 49 career tackles and could play Sunday against the Seahawks and contribute on special teams.
"He was a guy we looked at in free agency (and) were involved with," Fox said. "He ended up going to San Diego. They release him and we signed him. He's kind of the football character we're looking for. We felt like it was a move that could make us better."
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