Bears' Jay Cutler Needs Shoulder Surgery, Will Be Placed On Season-Ending IR
By Chris Emma--
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- Jay Cutler's season is over, and perhaps, his career with the Bears is, too.
Cutler will have surgery to repair his torn right labrum, and the Bears have placed him on injured reserve, effectively ending his season. After the Bears "tried to exhaust all their non-surgical remedies," which included several opinions, surgery was deemed the best option.
Cutler will have surgery on his torn labrum Saturday, Fox said. He suffered the injury in a loss to the Giants on Nov. 20.
"He's handled that as well as anyone I've been associated with," Fox said of Cutler.
Cutler missed last Sunday's loss against the Titans as the team continued to explore options that may keep his season alive. But at 2-9 and with surgery needing to come at some point, the Bears made the logical choice of shutting Cutler down now.
Reflecting on his two seasons with Cutler, Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains admired the quarterback's passion for the team.
"That's been incredible to watch," Loggains. "There's perception and there's the reality."
Matt Barkley will continue to start for the Bears. The team signed David Fales from the Ravens' practice squad as a reserve. Rookie Josh Woodrum remains available on Chicago's practice squad.
Cutler came to Chicago in 2009, sent by the Broncos in a blockbuster trade that saw the Bears send quarterback Kyle Orton and two first-round picks in return. In desperate search for a franchise quarterback after years of trying, the Bears believed Cutler would be their guy. He is the team's all-time leader in touchdowns.
Cutler -- a candidate to be moved in the offseason -- will finish the year with 1,059 passing yards, four touchdowns, five interceptions and a 78.1 passer rating. He has a 51-51 record in his eight seasons leading the Bears.
The Bears now have 16 players on injury reserved, including three quarterbacks.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.