Lovie Smith Confirms Cutler Injury
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Bears Coach Lovie Smith confirmed Monday morning that quarterback Jay Cutler broke his thumb, and the team hopes he will return before the end of the regular season.
"Jay does have a right thumb fracture. He hurt it on the tackle on the interception," Smith told WBBM Newsradio's Josh Liss. "Of course, we took X-rays last night, and he'll be seeing a specialist this morning, and we'll be able to tell you a little bit more after that."
WBBM'S Joss Liss reports that the Bears later confirmed that Cutler will need surgery, but that the team is hopeful the quarterback will be back before the end of the season.
LISTEN: Lovie Smith Talks With WBBM Newsradio's Josh Liss
Podcast
Cutler broke his thumb while chasing down the San Diego Chargers' Antoine Cason after a fourth quarter interception. He slowed the defensive back up enough for Matt Forte to shove him out of bounds saving a touchdown.
The Bears beat the Chargers 31-20.
Coach Smith did not mention the injury in his postgame comments Sunday evening.
"That might have been the biggest play of the game," head coach Lovie Smith said without mentioning the injury. "We don't want Jay to make a lot of tackles, but sometimes you have to."
When asked why it took so long to diagnose, Smith said: "It takes us a little bit of time. You start evaluating it afterward, I mean, he felt his thumb a little bit, but all our guys that played felt something."
The Bears are hopeful Cutler will return before the end of the regular season.
For now, backup Caleb Hanie will take over as quarterback.
Smith expressed optimism that the Bears can remain potent as playoff contenders without Cutler.
He said the Bears will conduct their game "the same way – running game, play from our quarterback positions, outstanding defensive plays, special teams. We've been in this situation before, so again, it's unfortunate. We don't know exactly how long Jay will be out, but while he's out, the ship will keep moving."
