Jimmy Clausen Ruled Out Of Season Finale With Concussion
(CBS) After making his first start Sunday in four years, Bears quarterback Jimmy Clausen has been ruled out of next weekend's season finale against the Vikings with a concussion that he suffered on a helmet-to-helmet hit from Lions defensive lineman Ziggy Ansah.
Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long called Ansah's hit "bush league."
Clausen experienced "delayed symptoms" of a concussion, the Bears said. He finished the game Sunday after getting hit with a little more than two minutes left in the game.
Jay Cutler will get the start in place of Clausen, coach Marc Trestman said. Cutler started the first 14 games of the season.
"Last night I received a call from our trainers that Jimmy had signs of a concussion," Trestman said. "And after examination this morning we've ruled him out. And Jay will move into that position, the starting position on Sunday."
It's somewhat unusual that the Bears have already ruled Clausen out for Sunday's game. Previously this season, they've waited until later in the week to make decisions about other players in the concussion protocol -- for example, Chris Conte. However, Trestman maintained that this decision was purely made by the doctors.
"That's the doctors' decision," Trestman said. "Medically speaking, he's been ruled out. And that was done today."
Trestman sidestepped a question about whether Clausen would've been the starter this Sunday had he been healthy. In a way, the decision was made much easier for Trestman, who may be operating in self-preservation mode and auditioning for other coaching jobs.
Trestman bypassed the opportunity to give the start to rookie David Fales, which may make more sense given the state of the team heading into a game that will only impact where they end up in the 2015 draft order.
"Jay gives us the best chance this week," Trestman said. "And so that's why (he's starting over Fales). That's why he'll be out there. And Dave (Fales) will be in the back-up role."
