Jay Cutler Out; Jason Campbell Will Start for Bears

By Audrey Barrick, Christian Post Reporter Saturday, November 17, 2012

Jay Cutler, quarterback for the Chicago Bears, will not start in Monday's game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Cutler suffered a concussion in last Sunday's game during the second quarter. The Bears lost that game to the Houston Texans.

A day after the official announcement, Mike Ditka, Bears Hall of Famer, was hospitalized Friday. According to the Chicago Tribune, the former Bears coach suffered a "very minor stroke." By Friday evening, Ditka told the local paper that he feels good and "it's not a big deal."

Bears Coach Lovie Smith said Cutler is "not going to go back practicing until he's completely well and ready to go. He won't play until there's no issues with that (concussion)."

Jason Campbell will be the starting quarterback Monday night. It will be his 71st start of his career but his first since last Oct. 16 when he broke his collarbone. On Sunday, the eight-year veteran completed 11 of 19 passes for 94 yards and a 70.9 passer rating.

"Jason Campbell gives us that luxury, that comfort level of being OK when our main guy goes down," said receiver Brandon Marshall. "I'm excited and really at ease having him in our huddle."

Smith said of Campbell, "He's a pro that's been around a long time. He's thrown a lot of passes, been in a lot of huddles. The guys feel comfortable, of course, with him. There's a reason why we have him here as our backup quarterback. Jason being around a while knows that it's a long season and backups have to play from time to time. And I know he's ready to go. If Jason has to play, believe me, we feel real good about it."

Tim Dobbins of the Houston Texans was fined $30,000 for the helmet-to-helmet hit that resulted in Cutler's concussion.