Jay Cutler Out With Concussion, Todd Collins To Start For Bears

Added on Oct 07, 2010 by Jason Kearney in

NFL

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler didn’t have the best day at the office on Sunday as he received no help from his offensive line and ended up being sacked 9 times in the first half against the New York Giants. Cutler eventually left the game with a concussion and was replaced by Todd Collins–who was also knocked out of the game late in the second half with a stinger. Collins has recovered enough to play while Cutler hasn’t and that means he’s the Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback in their road game at Carolina this week. Cutler’s status beyond that remains unknown pending further medical tests, though he did return to practice on a limited (non contact) basis.

Collins isn’t surprised that he’ll get the start:

“[Coach Lovie Smith] told me this morning. I was kind of expecting it. I’m ready.”

Collins says that he feels fine physically despite Sunday’s injury. He practiced with the first team on Wednesday and says it went well:

“It went pretty smooth. There are still a few things I have to brush up on, but it was pretty smooth.”

This will be the first time Cutler has missed a start due to injury. Bears’ linebacker Lance Briggs isn’t happy about Cutler’s absence but is going to make the best of the situation:

“This is football. Any player at any time [can get hurt] and the next guy has to be ready. That’s the way this thing works. No, I don’t want Cutler out of the game, I don’t want to see him out, but the facts are he’s not going to be playing this week. Todd Collins, Caleb Hanie will get the job done.”

A Bears’ spokesman said that Cutler has been examined by several doctors who have cleared him to practice but agree that having him sit out Sunday’s game is the right move. He’s planning to practice the rest of this week and will be re-evaluated early next week.