What has been widely reported all week has been officially confirmed by the Chicago Bears.
Starting quarterback Jay Cutler, who strained his hamstring in the team's Week 2 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
That gives way to backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who went 14-of-23 for 121 yards and an interception after Cutler went down in the second quarter of this past weekend's game. Clausen, in his sixth season out of Notre Dame, has started one game since the end of the 2010 season and owns a 1-10 career record as a starter.
Also ruled out for the Bears is Alshon Jeffery, the team's leading receiver the past two seasons. Jeffery, sidelined with a hamstring injury, was also out of the lineup for the team's Week 2 game against Arizona. Jeffery's absence could mean more targets for former Washington State Cougars standout Marquess Wilson, who's listed as Jeffery's backup and has three catches for 69 yards on the season. Free-agent addition Eddie Royal, running back Matt Forte, and tight end Martellus Bennett - the Bears' leading receiver and brother of Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett - could see more action in the passing game too with Jeffery on the mend.
Take a look back at every Seahawks vs Bears game, including their very first matchup nearly 40 years ago, two NFC Divisional Playoff games, and their latest showdown in 2012 which went into overtime.
Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34) leaves Seattle Seahawks cornerback Cornell Webster (38) sprawling as he gains 11 yards with a pass from quarterback Bob Avellini in first quarter, Sunday, Nov. 5, 1976 in Chicago. Play was good for a first down. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Keith Butler (53) upends Chicago Bears running back Roland Harper (35) during an NFL game in Chicago, Nov. 5, 1978. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 31-29. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks running back Sherman Smith (47) eludes Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jim Osborne (68) during an NFL games, in Chicago, Nov. 5, 1978. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 31-29. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
FILE - In this Dec. 13, 1982, file photo, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike McCormack claps his hands while shouting encouragement to his players during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in the Kingdome in Seattle. McCormack, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman died Fridaym, Nov. 15, 2013, in Palm Desert, Calif. He was 83. During his nearly 50 years in professional football, McCormack played, coached and held several executive positions. (AP Photo/Dave Ekren, File)
Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton (34) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks in Chicago, Ill., Dec. 20, 1987. Payton rushed for 79-yards and two-touchdowns in his last regular-season home game before retirement. The Seawhawks defeated the Bears 34-21. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Tomczak (18) throws a pass while being pressured by the Seattle Seahawks defense during an NFL game in Chicago,Ill., Dec. 20, 1987. The Seawhawks defeated the Bears 34-21. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ray Butler (83) eludes Chicago Bears cornerback Reggie Phillips (48) during an NFL game in Chicago, Ill., Dec. 20, 1987. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 34-21. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Chuck Knox hears words of encouragement from Bears head coach Mike Ditka following the Seahawks 17-0 loss to the Chicago Bears on September 9, 1990 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg (17) falls to the ground after being sacked for a 9-yard loss by Chicago Bears defensemen Trace Armstrong, left, and Dan Hampton, on ground right, in the second quarter in Chicago, Sept. 9, 1990. (AP Photo/Charles Bennett)
Chicago Bears defensive end Richard Dent (95) gets past Seattle Seahawks tackle Andy Heck (66) during a 17-0 Bears victory on September 9, 1990, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Umpire Darrell Jenkins, left, flies into the pile as Chicago Bears quarterback Chris Chandler (12) scores on a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003, in Seattle. At right are Seahawks' Norman Hand (96) and Cedric Woodard (98). (AP Photo)
Chicago Bears' Charles Tillman (33) breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks' Koren Robinson in the fourth quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003. Tillman was called for defensive pass interference on the play. (AP Photo)
Seattle Seahawks' Marcus Trufant, bottom, and Ken Hamlin (26) sandwich Chicago Bears wide receiver Dez White in the fourth quarter Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Chicago Bears' cornerback Ricky Manning Jr., right, is knocked out of bounds by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, left, after intercepting a pass and returning it 39 yards during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006 in Chicago. (AP Photo)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian, right, comes up just short on an incomplete pass as Seattle Seahawks' cornerback Marcus Trufant, left, defends during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006 in Chicago. (AP Photo)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian, left, catches a 40-yard pass for a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks' Kelly Herndon, center, and Oliver Celestin, right, defend during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006 in Chicago. (AP Photo)
Defensive lineman Tommie Harris #91 of the Chicago Bears pressures quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on October 1, 2006 in Chicago, Illinois. (AP Photo)
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (54), right, and safety Chris Harris (46) break up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson (82) during the second quarter of the NFC divisional playoff football game in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Chicago Bears kick returner Devin Hester (23) breaks away from Seattle Seahawks punter Ryan Plackemeier (1) while returning a kick in the NFC divisional playoff football game in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007. The play was called back because of a Bears penalty. (AP Photo)
Seattle Seahawks' Nate Burleson (81) scores on a 16-yard touchdown pass while being defended by Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) during the second quarter of the NFC divisional playoff football game in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007. (AP Photo)
SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 18: Linebacker Julian Peterson #59 of the Seattle Seahawks eyes the quarterback against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, November 18, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle won the game 30-23. (AP Photo/Thomas E. Witte) Julian Peterson
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks looks for an open receiver against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, November 18, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle won the game 30-23. (AP Photo)
SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Rex Grossman #8 of the Chicago Bears yells out play calls against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, November 18, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle won the game 30-23. (AP Photo/Thomas E. Witte) Rex Grossman
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS VS CHICAGO BEARS - As Seattle's Julius Jones heads up the Seahawks sideline, Chicago's Charles Tillman leapfrogs teammate Kevin Payne in an attempt to make the tackle.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS VS CHICAGO BEARS - Julius Jones scores on a 39-yard touchdown catch and run up the sideline in the first quarter.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS VS CHICAGO BEARS -
![[October 17, 2010]: Seahawks 23 - Bears 20](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/ue7rfejgu7vo5svu9dzk.jpg)
[October 17, 2010]: Seahawks 23 - Bears 20
