Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler Suffering From A MCL Sprain

Chicago Bears starting quarterback Jay Cutler is suffering from the same injury that forced the quarterback to miss the second half of the NFC Conference Championship game against the Green Bay Packers in 2010. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported on Thursday night that Cutler’s knee injury that appeared on Lovie Smith’s injury report has been diagnosed as a MCL sprain. Fortunately for the Bears, the injury does not appear to have the same severity that it did in 2010.

Dec 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) reacts to getting hit during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Bears 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Last Sunday, Cutler was sidelined for the remainder of the game in the fourth quarter because of a neck injury. It was not until Thursday that we learned that Cutler also suffered a knee injury in the team’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Cutler seemingly suffered the MCL sprain in the third quarter of last week’s game against the Vikings while trying to make a tackle after throwing an interception.

(Source: Chicago Football Talk)

Despite suffering the MCL Sprain, Cutler is fully expected to start for the Chicago Bears against the Green Bay Packers. Though, this latest injury only adds to the woes for the Bears. The Bears will already be without kicker Robbie Gould and middle linebacker Brian Urlacher against the Packers, now Cutler will be dealing with a sprained MCL. In the Bears’ first meeting with the Packers this season, Cutler was sacked seven times while throwing four interceptions. Packers linebacker Clay Matthews had three sacks in that game, and the linebacker will be playing after being injured for the Packers’ previous four games.

One would have to wonder if this will alter the Bears’ game plan against the Packers this Sunday. It already would have been in the Bears’ best interest to utilize both running backs Matt Forte and Michael Bush. With Cutler now facing potential difficulty in moving in the pocket, it makes that much more sense for the Bears to put an emphasis on the running game.