While their competition in the NFC North has been forced to deal with enough injuries to overflow an infirmary, the Bears mostly have been fortunate.
We will see just how healthy they are Wednesday when they return to practice at Halas Hall in preparation for their meeting Sunday with the Seahawks at Soldier Field. NFL.com announced quarterback Jay Cutler has been cleared for full participation in practice, and he should start Sunday barring an unforeseen setback in his return from a concussion.
That doesn’t come as a surprise. Coach Lovie Smith has been optimistic and hinted Monday more news would come Wednesday. Cutler practiced three days last week on a limited basis. Left tackle Chris Williams could return to practice after missing three games with a pulled hamstring and Smith didn’t seem overly concerned with an ankle injury Lance Briggs suffered. It could be the only player sidelined for the Bears (4-1) is safety Major Wright, who could miss a few more weeks with a hamstring pull.
Meanwhile, the Packers (3-2) are reeling and they brought in seven players for tryouts Tuesday, including five linebackers. They have four players on injured reserve — including starting running back Ryan Grant and safety Morgan Burnett — three players on the physically unable to perform list and they face some fresh and serious injuries.
Linebacker Nick Barnett could be out for the season with a wrist injury. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a concussion in Sunday’s overtime loss at Washington, and tight end Jermichael Finley required arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus that will sideline him three to six weeks. Add linebacker Clay Matthews, defensive lineman Ryan Pickett, tight end Donald Lee and special teams ace Derrick Martin to the list of the walking wounded.
The Vikings (1-3) are not faring much better. They learned Tuesday cornerback Cedric Griffin will miss the rest of the season with his second torn ACL in nine months. His replacement, rookie Chris Cook, is still out with a knee injury. Wide receiver Sidney Rice just ditched crutches coming back from hip surgery and quarterback Brett Favre was holding his elbow in pain Monday night, battling tendinitis.
The Lions (1-4) are still without quarterback Matthew Stafford and now wide receiver Calvin Johnson has a shoulder injury.
The Bears have done a good job of making their own breaks on the field, but they certainly are catching some when it comes to the early portion of the division race. It will be interesting to see if the offensive line is juggled this week. The Bears have used three different combinations in five games as they look for the right mix.
ESPN Chicago reported Caleb Hanie will pass Todd Collins and be the No. 2 quarterback as expected given Collins’ struggles at Carolina. Whether or not the Bears keep a soon-to-be 39-year-old as a No. 3 quarterback remains to be seen. The 10-sack loss to the Giants was an example of why three are needed. Plus, Collins’ $1 million contract is guaranteed, so they might as well use him in some fashion.
bmbiggs@tribune.com
