The Chicago Bears practiced Thursday for the first time since Jay Cutler was knocked out of Sunday’s loss to the Texans, but the quarterback did not participate as he continues his recovery from a concussion.
Jason Campbell ran the first-team offense as the Bears took to the field in preparation for Monday’s game at San Francisco. Cutler has not yet been cleared to return to football activities and his availability for the game remains unknown.
"“I know you have a lot of Jay Cutler questions," coach Lovie Smith said. "There is not a whole lot I can say. He is getting better. Don’t know if he’ll be able to go this week.
Smith would not say if there is a chance Cutler will practice Friday.
Smith did say it was possible that Cutler could play Monday even if he didn't practice this week, although the team prefers that players practice at least once.
Regarding Campbell, Smith said, "If Jason has to play, believe me, we feel real good about him."
Rookie defensive end Shea McClellin also missed practice while recovering from a concussion suffered against the Texans. Rookie wide receiver Alshon Jeffery returned to practice from a broken hand sustained in the Jacksonville game but was limited.
49ers quarterback Alex Smith, who also suffered a concussion on Sunday, was cleared for non-contact practices Wednesday. Barring a setback, it looks like Smith, who is completing 70 percent of his passes, will start against the Bears.
The Bears could be relegated to using Campbell, who they signed to a $3.5 million, one-year contract at the outset of free agency in the event something happened to Cutler. This is the second concussion in three seasons for Cutler, who missed a game in 2010 after suffering a head injury.
Some teammates saw Cutler at Halas Hall before practice and reported he was upbeat.
“He just looks like the same old Jay,” defensive tackle Henry Melton said. “I’m not a doctor, so I can’t really say if he’s going to go or not. But right now he’s looking good, so we’ll just see what happens.”
Defensive end Israel Idonije said it’s a fine line when it comes to head injuries and a speedy return.
“He’s a fierce competitor, he’s a tough guy,” Idonije said. “If everything goes through and when he’s ready to play, he’s going to play, he’ll get in the game and he’ll be effective for us and he’ll play well for us. But it’s a game so I don’t think at any time as sharp of a guy as he is he’s willing to risk his livelihood for this one game, especially because it’s a long season and we have plenty of games ahead that we need him for. So, they’re going to make the assessment and when the time is right and he’s ready he’ll be back and we’ll move forward and play a lot of great football games.”
bmbiggs@tribune.com
Twitter @BradBiggs
Cutler held out of Bears' practice
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Cutler held out of Bears' practice
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Cutler held out of Bears' practice
