Tuesday buzz: Jay Cutler has thumb sprain, won't require surgery
The Chicago Bears received some good news after a 29-14 drubbing Monday night by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Quarterback Jay Cutler only has a right thumb sprain and will not require surgery at this point, coach John Fox said. He is considered day to day.
Cutler was hurt on a strip sack on the Bears' first possession of the third quarter Monday. He remained in the game after being evaluated by doctors' on the sideline but was replaced by Brian Hoyer after throwing an interception on the ensuing series.
Fox said that Cutler had no problems practicing last week, despite a Chicago Sun-Times report that the quarterback had sustained ligament damage in Week 1 against the Houston Texans. NFL policy calls for teams to note "significant or noteworthy injuries" and clubs can be fined for not doing so.
The Bears are hurting elsewhere, however. Pass rusher Lamarr Houston is out for the year with a torn ACL, according to NFL Network. Defensive tackle Eddie Goldman is expected to miss four weeks with a high ankle sprain, the Chicago Tribune reported. Linebacker Danny Trevathan will require thumb surgery, though Fox said it is not considered season-ending.
Teams work out veteran running backs
Some veteran RB workouts on Tuesda: C.J. Spiller (Packers), Joique Bell (Lions). Ronnie Hillman visited Chargers, who signed Dexter McCluster
- Tom Pelissero
Report: Eagles OL appeals suspension
PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson has been suspended for using a performance-enhancing substance and is appealing, according to a published report.
The report in the Philadelphia Inquirer, citing league sources, said the appeal won’t be heard until Oct. 4, meaning that Johnson can play in the next game, this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Eagles are off the following week, which would give them an extra week to prepare his replacement.
Johnson had said he found that he tested positive for using a banned supplement on July 30. He is facing a 10-game suspension because it would be his second positive test. He was suspended for the first four games in the 2014 season.
Since July, Johnson was awaiting the result of his “B” urine sample. Johnson had expected that to come back positive as well. It finally did.
If Johnson’s appeal is denied, he would be eligible to return Dec. 18 against the Baltimore Ravens, leaving him just three games in the regular season. There is a chance that an arbitrator could reduce the suspension or overturn it. During that time, Johnson would not be allowed at the team’s practice facility or to have contact with the coaching staff.
An NFL spokesman had no comment Tuesday morning on a possible suspension for Johnson.
-Martin Frank, News-Journal of Wilimingon, Del.
Foster might miss only 1-2 games
The Early word on Dolphins RB Arian Foster is it's just a groin strain. He is not a question for Sunday but probably won't miss more than 1-2 games, according to Tom Pelissero of Paste BN Sports.
PHOTOS: Notable NFL injuries