Bears Cutler, Forte likely to remain out

CHICAGO, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Doctors were to remove pins stabilizing the thumb of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler Tuesday, but don't look for him to play again this season.

Head Coach Lovie Smith has not ruled Cutler out of Sunday's regular-season finale against the 3-12 Vikings in Minneapolis, but after losing five straight games the Bears (7-8) have little to play for.

They were eliminated from post-season contention in a 35-21 Christmas Night loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers -- the Bears' fourth straight loss to the Pack.

Journeyman quarterback Josh McCown will likely get the start after leading the offense to a season-high 441 yards in a losing effort at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Bears star running back Matt Forte also is unlikely to see action as he recovers from a sprained MCL in his right knee, the Chicago Tribune reported.

"If they're health and ready to do, we won't tell them no," Smith said Monday. "I don't know if that will be the case."

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is out for the season with a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee.