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Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler sits out another practice

By The Sports Xchange
Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer is likely to get more snaps with regular starter Jay Cutler missing practice with a thumb injury. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI
Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer is likely to get more snaps with regular starter Jay Cutler missing practice with a thumb injury. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler sat out Thursday's practice, strengthening the possibility that backup Brian Hoyer will make his second straight start on Sunday when the winless Bears host the Detroit Lions (1 p.m., ET).

Cutler, who had limited participation on Wednesday, is nursing a sprained right thumb that is expected to require two to three weeks of recovery.

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"We just didn't want to aggravate it more," coach John Fox told the Chicago Tribune. "The thumb on the throwing hand of a quarterback is a delicate situation. So we just figured we wouldn't go out there and have any stress on it."

Cutler sustained the injury in the season opener versus the Houston Texans and aggravated it the following week against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The 33-year-old admitted that he struggled with his control versus the Eagles, leading to a costly interception in the third quarter. Cutler has two picks and one lost fumble while being sacked eight times this season for the Bears (0-3).

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Hoyer completed 30 of 49 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns in Chicago's 31-17 loss to Dallas on Sunday night.

"It's a day-to-day thing for me," Hoyer said on Wednesday. "I'm every day trying to prepare to play. Whatever (Cutler's) status is, until someone tells me different I'm just preparing like I'm going to play.

"If he was playing, I would prepare the same way. It was good to have him back out there (practicing)."

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was limited in Thursday's practice as he nurses both knee and hamstring issues. The 26-year-old Jeffery has been a mainstay on the injury report this season, but has enjoyed success versus Detroit with touchdowns in three straight meetings.

Running back Jeremy Langford (ankle) sat out on Thursday and reportedly is expected to miss four to six weeks with an ankle injury he sustained versus Dallas. Rookie Jordan Howard is expected to make his first start and receive the majority of the carries with both Langford and Ka'Deem Carey (hamstring) sidelined.

On the other side of the ball, linebacker Danny Trevathan sat out Thursday's practice as he rehabbed his surgically repaired thumb. He is not expected to play on Sunday.

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Cornerback Jacoby Glenn (personal) didn't practice on Thursday.

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