Chicago Bears

Bears QB Jay Cutler is day-to-day with a sprained thumb

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:12 p.m. ET

Dan Graf

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler left Monday night’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles with a thumb injury, but he hasn’t yet been ruled out for Week 3 vs. the Cowboys.

Coach John Fox told reporters Tuesday that Cutler is day-to-day with a sprained right thumb and that he will opt for rehab rather than surgery. A report earlier Tuesday indicated that Cutler injured the thumb in Week 1 against the Texans and then aggravated it against the Eagles.

Cutler, like the Bears, is off to a shaky start. He has completed 28 of 46 passes for 373 yards and has one TD pass and two interceptions in Chicago’s two losses. Journeyman Brian Hoyer replaced Cutler Monday night and completed nine of 12 passes for 78 yards. Given Cutler’s performance Monday, it seems unlikely he’d play until he’s fully healthy.

Cutler, 33, seemed a lock to be released by the Bears after a miserable 2014 season, but he made the most of his surprise chance to return in 2015, when he posted the best QB rating (92.3) of his 10-year career. So far in his 11th season, Cutler’s 75.7 rating would be his worst. As his career record as a starter dips below .500 – he’s at 67-69 after Monday night – Hoyer and his 15-11 career mark might start looking like a better option.