Chicago Bears add QB Matt Barkley to roster

Quarterback Matt Barkley was added to the 53-man roster of the Chicago Bears, who anticipate starter Jay Cutler being sidelined for multiple games with a sprained thumb.

Linebacker Lamarr Houston was placed on injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Houston suffered the same season-ending injury in 2014.

Barkley's promotion signals Cutler is not likely to play and might not travel to Dallas for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys, where the 0-2 Bears will start journeyman Brian Hoyer.

Barkley was drafted by the Eagles and played in four games with Philadelphia between 2013-2015. He entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick, 98th overall, out of Southern California.

He was on the roster of the Arizona Cardinals before being waived during final roster cuts in September.