Bears Notes: Palmer To Relieve Cutler At Seattle
(CBS) Jordan Palmer will relieve Bears starting quarterback Jay Cutler in the second or third quarter of Friday's preseason game against the Seahawks, Chicago coach Marc Trestman said Wednesday afternoon.
Fellow reserve quarterback Jimmy Clausen will play the fourth quarter, Trestman added, and the race between the two for the backup quarterback job is still open.
"We'll make a decision during the second quarter, what we're going to do through it," Trestman said. "Are we going to go through halftime and bring (Cutler) out in the third quarter? That will be dependent on a number of different things. After that, we'll have Jordan. So I expect Jordan to play the third quarter, and Jimmy to play the fourth. We'll continue to rotate these guys around."
Palmer got the first shot after Cutler in Chicago's preseason opener against Philadelphia, while Clausen relieved Cutler against Jacksonville last Friday.
Palmer is 14-of-20 for 177 yards, a touchdown and an interception with a 93.1 passer rating in two games. Clausen is 18-of-28 for 244 yards, two touchdowns and an interception with a 100.9 passer rating.
"We've got another week after this one," Trestman said, hinting the battle still has much to play out.
"We just decided to rotate them this time."
Likewise, the a competition is still playing out at both safety spots for the Bears. Against Seattle, Chicago will continue with its rotation, Trestman said. That will include Chris Conte for the first time since his infamous performance last December against the Packers. Conte sat out the first two preseason games as he slowly returned from offseason surgery on his right shoulder.
"He's had a good week of practice," Trestman said. "He's running around, he's involved in terms of what we're doing."
Trestman wasn't sure how much playing time Conte will receive.
Elsewhere in the secondary, rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller missed practice for the third straight day with an injured right ankle, but it's not expected to be a long-term injury.
"I'm feeling better," Fuller said. "It's getting better. It has made progress."
It seems likely the Bears will have Fuller sit out Friday.
Other notes
--- Newly signed receiver Santonio Holmes' status for Friday is still uncertain. He doesn't have any lingering injuries, but the Bears don't want to rush him into anything if he's not comfortable with just three days of practice.
"I'd like him to dress," Trestman said. "I haven't really had a chance to talk to him and (see) where he's at. Want want to get him in there as quickly as possible, but we also want to respect him and do the right thing. We don't want to put in a position where he can hurt himself or hurt our football team."
--- Right tackle Jordan Mills returned to practice after sitting out recently with a sore left foot. His status for Friday is still uncertain.
--- Receiver/returner Chris Williams is expected to play Friday after recently suffering from a hamstring injury, Trestman said. Williams is in the mix for a reserve receiver role and the kick/punt return duties.
"We need to see him be productive," Trestman said.
