Oct. 08--Heading into last Sunday's game against the Raiders, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler understood his limitations. Still working back through a significant hamstring strain, Cutler knew he wouldn't want to test his mobility. Instead, he set his mind to operate almost exclusively within the pocket, taking away a dimension of his game that is often quite valuable.
Cutler remained disciplined with that approach throughout the 22-20 victory. He never took off running with his only official rushing attempt coming on a fumbled snap exchange with Matt Slauson. He also was sacked three times.
But Cutler's composure remained steady throughout.
"Even when I stepped up a few times and threw it, my mindset was just get rid of the ball and let these (other) guys do it," he said Thursday. "This week I'll be able to move around a little bit more. We still want to stay in the pocket and deliver the ball from there. But if I have to get out, I think I can get out."
In previous starts this season against the Packers and Cardinals, Cutler turned seven rushes into 55 yards. So the return of his mobility this Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium should be a boost, especially with the Bears preparing to face a Chiefs defense with an imposing front seven.
Offensive coordinator Adam Gase expressed admiration for Cutler's moxie during the victory over the Raiders.
"The first thing I learned was how tough he was," Gase said. "For him to perform the way he did ... I don't know if I've been around a performance like that with as efficient as he was while fighting through what he had going on. With him sticking around in the pocket, he did a good job protecting himself and he did a good job with all his reads."
Jeffery remains limited: Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) was limited Thursday and has participated fully in only two practices since the regular season began. The Bears are eager for Jeffery's return but can't say for certain it will come Sunday. Jeffery has missed the last three games with his hamstring issue and didn't play at all during the preseason with a calf strain.
"As a player, I want to be out there, too," Jeffery said. "But it's a process. It's a long season."
Fellow receiver Eddie Royal, meanwhile, missed Thursday's practice with an ankle injury.
Others missing practice for the Bears on Thursday were Jermon Bushrod (concussion, shoulder), Antrel Rolle (ankle) and Patrick Omameh (ankle). Cutler (hamstring), Kyle Long (back, ankle), Jeremiah Ratliff (ankle), Shea McClellin (elbow) and Pat O'Donnell (knee) were among those limited.
Do your job: Running back Jamaal Charles remains the engine of the Chiefs offense with 457 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns already.
Bears defensive tackle Jarvis Jenkins stressed the biggest key to containing Charles requires each guy to tend to his assigned gap.
"If he's going to make a play, let him bounce it to another gap and then make a play," Jenkins said. "Don't try to do another guy's job. That's where he gets guys. He sees holes pretty fast. So just play the technique that's called and it'll all work out."
