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.
The Seattle Seahawks take on the Chicago Bears for Week 16 of the 2021 season, the 17th regular season meeting between the two teams. Take a look back at some of their previous matchups.
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 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 Cortez Kennedy (96) during a game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois against the Chicago Bears from his 1999 season. The Seahawks beat the Bears 14-13. Cortez Kennedy played for 11 seasons all with the Seahawks, was an 8-time Pro Bowler and inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.(David Durochik via AP)
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 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)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Mike Williams (17) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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
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 running back Marshawn Lynch carries the ball against the Chicago Bears defense and safety Danieal Manning, right in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, left, talks with his brother, Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett, right, after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Seattle. The Seahawks beat the Bears 26-0. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) makes a touchdown reception against Chicago Bears defensive back Kyle Fuller (23) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
