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The Chicago Bears didn't waste any time in declaring that Jay Cutler would miss his second consecutive game on Sunday, November 24th, which gives Josh McCown the start at St. Louis against the Rams.
Cutler was spotted wearing a hard cast last week to help stabilize his high ankle sprain, and with his mobility in question it makes no sense to let him face a Rams team with 32 sacks, currently good for 6th in the NFL. Yesterday after the overtime win against the Baltimore Ravens, Cutler left the locker room with the hard cast intact.
The St. Louis Rams had a bye this weekend, so they'll be well rested for the Sunday contest. The following week the Bears play in Minnesota on December 1st, then on 12/9 they have a Monday Nighter against the Dallas Cowboys.
Earlier today the Bears also announced that Lance Briggs will also remain on the sidelines for this week. Briggs hasn't played since hurting his shoulder on October 20th against Washington. The initial diagnosis was that his injury would keep him out around six weeks, and so far it's been only four. Head coach Marc Trestman called Briggs' return still "a couple of weeks away".
In other Bears injury news, it's expected that defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff will not suit up this week, with him holding out hope for a return against his former team, the Cowboys.
Defensive tackle Stephen Paea left the game yesterday in a walking boot after injuring the same toe that kept him out of two games earlier this season. Trestman called Paea "week to week", which makes it a good bet that he'll at least sit out one game.
Some good news as defensive end Shea McClellin is expected back at practice this week. If McClellin proves ready to go, look for him to get the start at DE, with Corey Wootton kicking back inside to DT.
What are your thoughts on these injury announcements?