Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has been listed as “doubtful” on the team’s injury report for the upcoming game against the Tennessee Titans. As a result, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media is reporting Matt Barkley will start in his stead.
The #Bears say QB Jay Cutler is doubtful, so Matt Barkley will start vs. #Titans. OLB Leonard Floyd is out.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 25, 2016
Cutler was thought by some to be out for the season after injuring his shoulder last weekend against the New York Giants. It was later reported that he had torn his labrum but might return this year.
Whether Cutler plays or not, the Bears have been terrible most of the season. They have managed just two wins this year and appear destined to earn a top-five pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
They are currently on a two-game losing streak after beating the Minnesota Vikings a few weeks back — a game in which Cutler looked better than he had all year. But he stunk up the joint the next couple of weekends, completing well below 60 percent in both games while throwing two touchdowns and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown (watch here).
In his only action this year for the Bears, Barkley was eaten alive by the Green Bay Packers. He completed just 40 percent of his passes for 81 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in Week 7.
Needless to say, the Bears are in trouble going up against a very competitive Titans team this Sunday with Barkley leading the offense. We should expect to see a heavy dose of running back Jordan Howard in this one, as Chicago’s passing offense will be hard pressed to do much of anything productive in this one.