Bears' Cutler should be ready to return next week
Even though Jay Cutler has been virtually shut down for the remainder of the week and won't play Sunday against the Panthers, Bears coach Lovie Smith isn't concerned that the concussion he suffered last week will keep him out more than one game.
“There's no reason to think that, Smith said. “He's making progress. You guys have seen him around here right now. Hopefully that won't be the case. Of course all we know right now is he's not playing this week. Hopefully he'll be ready to go next week.
Cutler, who also indicated he would be back next week, was at practice Thursday but mostly as an observer. His activity was scaled back after partial participation Wednesday, as Todd Collins and Caleb Hanie did most of the throwing, but Cutler was again listed as “limited, at practice.
“Part of the evaluation process with Jay was coming out and practicing on a limited basis (Wednesday), which he did, Smith said. “After that he met with our medical staff and an independent physician. It was decided he's doing better, but we're going to hold him out of the game this week.
Disaster drill: With only two healthy quarterbacks available Sunday, the Bears will have to prepare an emergency No. 3 QB in case Todd Collins and Caleb Hanie are injured.#8220;We have an emergency plan, coach Lovie Smith said without naming the player. #8220;Most of the time you don't get to that third quarterback in a game. Very seldom does it happen. Without going into that and giving away too much more of our game plan, we have a guy in mind, maybe a couple guys in mind if we get down to No. 3. Hopefully it won't get down to (that).If disaster strikes, expect to see a lot of wide receiver Devin Hester and running back Matt Forte taking snaps from the Wildcat formation.Something special: Cornerback Corey Graham hasn't gotten much playing time on defense with the emergence of D.J. Moore and Tim Jennings as the top backups, but he's playing at an elite level as a special-teams coverage man. Graham's 10 special-teams tackles are tops on the Bears and twice as many as the No. 2 tackler, linebacker Rod Wilson.#8220;It seems like we've always had one player who really stood out around here on special teams, coach Lovie Smith said. #8220;Corey is definitely that guy right now. Every week he ranks right at the top as far as points are concerned. Pro Bowl-type play by him.Tim Shaw set the Bears' record for special-teams tackles last season with 30.By the numbers: Jay Cutler leads all NFL quarterbacks with a 133.4 fourth-quarter passer rating. Among players with 10 or more catches, Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox leads the NFL with 21.5 yards per catch.Injury update: Right guard Lance Louis went through a full practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday, and he is expected to start Sunday.Offensive tackle Chris Williams and safety Major Wright did not practice because of hamstring injuries, but Williams increased his work on the side with trainer Bobby Slater and could be back at practice next week. Harris is expected out until after the bye on Oct. 31.#376; Follow Bob LeGere's Bears reports via Twitter@BobLeGere. Check out his blog, Bear Essentials at DailyHerald.com