Cutler downplays reports he’ll play Sunday
Jay Cutler dialed down optimistic reports that he would be back at quarterback for the Bears on Sunday against the Lions.
Appearing on the “Waddle and Silvy Show” on ESPN Radio Tuesday, Cutler said: “I don’t think we can say I’ll be out there for the Detroit game. We’re trying everything we can to get out there. It feels good, but I haven’t practiced. I haven’t been in a live situation, done all the cuts and the drops and saw how it felt yet, so I can’t tell you.”
Cutler implied that it would be foolish to rush back from the torn groin injury given how well Josh McCown has played as his replacement, leading a 27-20 Monday night victory over the Packers in Green Bay.
“I wish I could say we’ll be out there, but the way Josh is playing we feel good about that,” Cutler said. “We don’t want to get into a situation where I’m out there and I came back a week too soon and then I’m set back another 4-6 weeks, so have to be smart with it.”
Cutler was injured Oct. 20, and the initial prognosis was that he would be out at least four weeks, but he said aggressive rehab has him ahead of schedule.
Bad break:Shea McClellin had no idea how crucial his first full sack of the season would be when it happened.#147;I didn#146;t know he was hurt,#148; McClellin said of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is expected to miss at least three weeks with a fractured collarbone. #147;You never try to hurt anyone on purpose; I didn#146;t do that, but stuff happens and guys get injuries, which is unfortunate.#148;McClellin corralled a scrambling Rodgers from behind, on the first of his career-best 3 sacks, which didn#146;t appear to be anything out of the ordinary. The Bears#146; 2012 first-round pick said it wasn#146;t a violent hit.#147;I think it was just one of those situations,#148; he said. #147;He just fell on it awkwardly, and I was on top of him.#148;Multiple milestones: Monday night was Matt Forte#146;s first 100-yard rushing game of the season after gaining between 87 and 95 yards in four of the first seven games.But Forte was more pleased with the milestone victory in Green Bay.#147;It took me six years,#148; said the 2008 second-round draft pick. #147;We haven#146;t beaten them here since I got here. It was a great accomplishment for us as a team, so I#146;m looking forward to continuing to build on this. We did well with being an underdog and having key players hurt. But other teams have people hurt, too. We did a good job as a team.#148;Forte is on pace for 1,314 rushing yards, which would be a career best for a single season, topping the 1,238 yards he had as a rookie.Special delivery:Brandon Marshall#146;s 7-catch, 107-yard night was his third 100-yard game of the season, but his first since Week Two. He also added his team-best sixth receiving TD.#147;He makes a difference for everybody because that#146;s how good he is,#148; said quarterback Josh McCown, who targeted Marshall 13 times. #147;He makes a difference for anybody that#146;s on the field. He#146;s a special player.#148;Coming and going:Undrafted rookie defensive tackle Zach Minter was waived on Tuesday and first-year wide receiver Joe Anderson was placed on injured reserve with groin and abdomen injuries. One of those roster spots is expected to be taken by recently signed veteran Jay #147;Jeremiah#148; Ratliff, a four-time Pro Bowl player who is still rehabbing a groin injury from last season.Minter, who played briefly in two games but did not have a tackle, is eligible for the practice squad. Anderson played in six of the first seven games, mostly on special teams, where he had 5 kickoff returns for 82 yards and 1 tackle.