:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24366805/20131201_pjc_ah7_045.0.jpg)
The bad news; Jay Cutler still hasn't been cleared to practice.
The good news; With their next game on Monday Night, the Chicago Bears don't practice until Thursday.
At today's press conference head coach Marc Trestman called Cutler week to week. Earlier today on Cutler's radio show he claimed his groin was healed, and he plans to test the ankle this week if cleared.
Cutler ran on a treadmill today, and he hopes there are "no ill effects tomorrow." He plans to continue working out the next few days, to get a feel for where his high ankle sprain is at. He does feel that if he can't practice, he won't play on Monday against the Dallas Cowboys.
If Cutler can't go, the Bears will again turn to Josh McCown, who is 2-2 in his four starts this season. In total he has appeared in six games in 2013, and he has completed 65.2% of his passes, a career high. He's also attained a career high passer rating so far this season at 103.6. Even though two of his appearances were in relief, his 243.5 yards per game would be a career high as well.
McCown's yards per game is actually higher than Cutler's 238.5 this season. Jay has played in eight total games this year and he's started and finished six of them. McCown is statistically having a better year so far, besting Cutler in rating, yards per attempt, completion percentage, and interception percentage.
They each have an identical 4.9 TD percentage, but McCown is sacked more frequently than Jay, 5.2% to 4.0%.
Then there's the overall points scored with Jay under center.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Bears&src=hash">#Bears</a> averaging 22.7 ppg in Josh McCown's 4 starts this year. They're averaging 28.7 ppg in 6 games started and completed by Jay Cutler.</p>— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachZaidman/statuses/407542704994664448">December 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That could be part anomaly, part coincidence, but there it is.
Jay Cutler isn't the only Bears player that Trestman called week to week. Lance Briggs is "healing" and "progressing," according to the Bears head coach.
The last few weeks at this time, both Cutler and Briggs were ruled out for their upcoming game, neither player has received such a designation today.
The odds may be slim, but there is a chance both could play Monday Night.
Trestman also feels good about Major Wright's recovery from his injury, but thought Craig Steltz played well in his place at safety.
What are your thoughts on the injury situation this week?
