Jay Cutler Injury: Updates on Bears QB's Thumb and Return

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler had not played since aggravating an injury to his right thumb during Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he is ready to return. 

Continue for updates.

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Cutler Active vs. Vikings

Monday, Oct. 31 

The Bears announced Cutler was available to play on Monday against Minnesota.  

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Latest on Cutler's Practice Status

Friday, Oct. 28

Cutler participated in Friday's session, and head coach John Fox told reporters he had two really good days of practice.

Fox told reporters Cutler had "a very good workout without any issues" on Tuesday.

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Latest on Cutler's Job Security

Monday, Oct. 24

"At the end of the day, Jay's our starter," Fox told reporters. "Now that he's healed, he's back to being our starter."

Prior to Brian Hoyer's broken arm suffered against the Packers, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported Oct. 12 the Bears were considering sticking with Hoyer under center and that Cutler is open to potentially moving on from the franchise:

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Oct. 9 that Cutler is not certain to return as the Bears' starting quarterback when he's healthy because the job is Hoyer's to win. "If he continues to thrive, he'll start," Rapoport stated. "Door is open."

CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora also reported Hoyer could remain the first-choice signal-caller:

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Hoyer could maintain his hold on the Bears starting job beyond this week, according to team sources, should he continue to play solid football, even with Jay Cutler nearing a return from his thumb injury. Cutler has fallen out of favor with some on the coaching staff, and coach John Fox wants fewer turnovers out of the quarterback position. Cutler's future in Chicago beyond this season appears more bleak than ever.

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When reporters asked Fox about Hoyer on Oct. 3, Fox said, "Anybody who's performing well, I don't think we're going to be likely to change."

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Fox Comments on Cutler's Injury, Potential Return

Thursday, Oct. 20

Fox said Cutler is "getting closer" after the team's Week 7 loss to the Green Bay Packers, per Adam Hoge of WGN Radio.

Fox told reporters Oct. 3 that Cutler is day-to-day and that the team would evaluate Cutler more during practice Oct. 5. Fox also stated he would not give any time frame for Cutler's return.

On Sept. 20, Fox told reporters Cutler had been diagnosed with a right-thumb sprain, adding he was "not anticipating" the quarterback would undergo surgery on the injury.

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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 [the] injured ligament. Team doesn't believe it's [a] long-term issue."

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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 Sept. 20 that Cutler played against the Eagles with ligament damage in his right thumb. Those sources told Jahns that Cutler hurt the thumb in Week 1 against the Houston Texans and that the injury "typically results in a three- to four-week absence."

Rapoport reported Sept. 20 the Bears were "preparing for a lengthy absence" for Cutler, adding that "it's a matter of how to fix his thumb." Rapoport, citing a source, also said on Sept. 21 that Cutler is expected to miss two to three weeks and that the timeline depends on how Cutler heals over the next three days.

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Cutler's Future with Bears in Question

Tuesday, Sept. 20

Cole reported Cutler's standing within the team could be in doubt with his current injury:

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Cutler Comments on Injury

Tuesday, Sept. 20

When asked about the thumb injury, Cutler said, per Hoge: "Concerned. As a quarterback, you kind of need your right thumb."

According to the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer: "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."

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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-of-17 for 157 yards with an interception before 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 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.