Despite exiting Chicago's 48-23 loss to the Arizona Cardinals with a hamstring strain this past weekend and not participating in practice on Wednesday, Bears head coach John Fox has yet to officially rule out quarterback Jay Cutler for Sunday's game against the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field.
"Well if he's healthy he'll start," Fox told Seattle-area reporters via conference call on Wednesday. "If he's not, [backup quarterback] Jimmy [Clausen] will start."
Cutler's injury came in the second quarter of Week 2's contest as he tried to tackle a Cardinals defender after throwing an interception, but the Bears' veteran signal caller was enjoying success up until the setback, completing his first eight passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. Clausen, in his sixth season out of Notre Dame, finished the game 14-of-23 for 121 yards and an interception.
"He'll be just like everybody else on our roster," Fox said of Cutler's Week 3 status. "We kind of make that decision later in the week, usually about an hour and a half before kickoff. He's on the active roster."
The Bears made a roster move on Tuesday to add depth to the position group, elevating quarterback David Fales from the practice squad to the active roster to give Chicago a third throwing arm to go along with Cutler and Clausen.
Here's a few other things we heard from the Bears head coach's conference call:
- On what he saw from Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor, who returned to the team on Wednesday and who Fox went against as head coach of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, "Much like the rest of their defense. We knew they were fast and physical and they proved to be that in that game. I thought it was a very well played game on their part."
- On game-planning for Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham, "Well, you guys have got a couple good tight ends. I think we competed against Jimmy for a little bit in the NFC South, familiar with him and what he brings to the table. Obviously he's got great production and a guy we'll have to be in tune to wherever he is on the field."
- On former University of Washington linebacker John Timu, who made the Bears' roster this year as an undrafted rookie free agent, "A tremendous young man. I've only known him for a short time with him being a rookie, but we thought enough of him to keep him around. He's been a good addition. I like the way he goes about his business. He's got good football character and you guys should be proud of him."
