Jay Cutler Injury: Updates on Bears QB’s Thumb and Return
Published by Alec Nathan on September 19, 2016
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler aggravated an injury to his right thumb during his team’s matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. His official playing status for Week 4 against the Detroit Lions has yet to be announced.
Continue for updates.
Fox Comments on Cutler’s Injury
Monday, Sept. 26
Head coach John Fox told reporters the team is in “day-to-day mode” with Cutler.
Fox told reporters Sept. 20 that Cutler was diagnosed with a right thumb sprain, adding he was “not anticipating” the quarterback would undergo surgery on the injury.
Cutler Wearing Brace on Hand
Sunday, Sept. 25
Ed Werder of ESPN reported Cutler is wearing a “small plastic brace on his right hand to protect injured ligament. Team doesn’t believe it’s long-term issue.”
Latest on Severity of Cutler’s Injury, Timeline for Return
Wednesday, Sept. 21
Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times, citing multiple team sources, reported Tuesday that Cutler played against the Eagles with ligament damage in his right thumb. Those sources told Jahns that Cutler injured the thumb in Week 1 against the Houston Texans and that the injury “typically results in a three-to four-week absence.”
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Tuesday the Bears are “preparing for a lengthy absence” for Cutler, adding that “it’s a matter of how to fix (surgery or not) his thumb.” Rapoport, citing a source, also reported Wednesday morning that Cutler is expected to miss two to three weeks and that the timeline depends on how Cutler heals over the next three days.
Cutler’s Future with Bears in Question
Tuesday, Sept. 20
Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole reported that Cutler’s standing with the team could be in doubt with his current injury:
Cutler Comments on Injury
Tuesday, Sept. 20
When asked about the thumb injury, Cutler said, via Adam Hoge of WGN Radio, “Concerned. As a quarterback, you kind of need your right thumb.”
“Cutler said he injured the thumb early in the game on a hit. Wasn’t sure when. But he aggravated it on the [third-quarter] sack fumble,” according to the Chicago Tribune‘s Dan Wiederer.
Cutler Off to Rough Start in 2016
Cutler completed 16 of his 29 passes for 216 yards and one touchdown with an interception in a loss to the Houston Texans in Week 1.
Against the Eagles, Cutler was 12-for-17 for 157 yards with an interception. Veteran Brian Hoyer took over for him under center.
Cutler had a hamstring injury last year but missed only one game during a down season for the Bears.
In his first year under head coach John Fox, Cutler completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 3,659 yards and 21 touchdowns. While those numbers weren’t great, Cutler trimmed his interceptions from 18 the season prior to 11.
Cutler’s production was impressive, considering the receiving corps he worked with. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery played just nine games because of calf and hamstring injuries, and tight end Martellus Bennett missed five games with a rib injury.
However, Cutler has been unable to improve on last season early in 2016.
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