advertisement

Hoyer: 'I'm just trying to keep doing what I'm doing'

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler did not practice Wednesday, and he hasn't done so since a limited workout a week earlier, so Brian Hoyer should again be under center Sunday against the Colts at Indianapolis.

"He's still doing rehab," coach John Fox said of Cutler, "so he's working through that injury."

Hoyer has been a pleasant surprise in relief, so much so that he's threatening to hang on to the job even after Cutler is fully recovered from his sprained right thumb.

"It's just trying to go out and execute the game plan," said Hoyer, who is seventh in the NFL with a 103.3 passer rating.

"(Offensive coordinator) Dowell (Loggains) has done a good job of coming up with plays and knowing where our strengths are, and the offense is really coming together.

"The offensive line is jelling. They've been playing better, giving me some time to throw the ball. Everybody's making plays (in the pass game), and the running game is going."

In his eight-year career, Hoyer has spent more time as a backup, but he's also gotten 36 starts, including 24 since the beginning of the 2014 season.

Hoyer is aware that Fox has indicated he won't replace a player who's performing well, but he's focused on the present.

"I try not to pay attention to the media, but when friends, family members reach out to you, you kind of figure it out," he said. "But I'm not putting too much into it. I'm just trying to prepare the best I can and do what I'm asked.

"I'm just trying to keep doing what I'm doing, and when I get a chance to play, play the best I can."

Injury report:

In addition to Jay Cutler and Kevin White, five other Bears did not practice: Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (calf), nose tackle Eddie Goldman (ankle), running back Jeremy Langford (ankle), tight end Zach Miller (ribs) and wide receiver Eddie Royal (calf).

The good news is that inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (thumb surgery) and running back Ka'Deem Carey (hamstring) returned to practice, although they were limited.

Seven other players were limited: Guard Josh Sitton (shoulder), wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (knee), cornerbacks Tracy Porter (knee) and Sherrick McManis (hamstring), linebackers Willie Young (knee) and Nick Kwiatkoski (elbow) and defensive end Jonathan Bullard (shoulder).

Possible reinforcements:

The wide receiver position could get a boost in two weeks, when Marquess Wilson is eligible to come off the physically-unable-to-perform list.

Wilson and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee) are both eligible to begin practicing next Friday - if they are healthy enough.

"We'll see where they are as we get closer to that date," coach John Fox said.

Wilson suffered a refracture of his left foot during summer minicamp, an injury that sidelined him last November.

The 6-foot-4, 206-pound Wilson accumulated career bests of 28 catches, 464 yards and a 16.6-yard average per catch last season before he was hurt.

Wilson, a seventh-round pick out of Washington State in 2013, suffered a fractured right collarbone during 2014 training camp and missed the first nine games, but he caught 17 passes for 140 yards (8.2-yard average) after returning.

Shuffling the deck:

Fullback Paul Lasike was moved up to the active roster from the practice squad, and tight end Busta Anderson was added to the practice squad.

Lasike played inn the first two games before he was waived and re-signed to the practice squad. Anderson was a seventh-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers last year.

• Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.