Chicago Bears will have a major decision to make in regards to Jay Cutler at the end of this year _ but now the quarterback's 2016 season could be ended prematurely.
Multiple sources told the Tribune that Cutler suffered a shoulder injury in Sunday's 22-16 loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Cutler was able to finish the game and was intercepted by safety Landon Collins on the final offensive play but the Bears were working to learn more about his injury on a hectic Monday at Halas Hall.
There was bad news already after leading tackler Jerrell Freeman was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs was a shot to the franchise that lost No. 1 wide receiver Alshon Jeffery to a PED suspension last week.
Now, Cutler is injured for the second time this season and could be the third quarterback to suffer a season-ending injury. Cutler has been a quick healer with other injuries throughout his eight seasons with the franchise but missed five games earlier this season with a right thumb injury when the coaching staff seemed determined to roll with Brian Hoyer before he suffered a broken left arm. Connor Shaw suffered a broken leg in the third preseason game.
Cutler was sacked four times by the Giants in the fourth quarter on Sunday and the team's medical staff visited with him after the first possession of the game. Defensive end Olivier Vernon slammed him to the turf on the second snap leading to a roughing the passer penalty called by referee Craig Wrolstad.
If Cutler cannot play, Matt Barkley would be the team's starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Titans at Soldier Field. The team has only one other quarterback under contract, Josh Woodrum, an undrafted rookie free agent from Liberty who was signed to the practice squad last week.
Cutler is under contract through the 2020 season but at this point it would not be a surprise if the team parts ways with him after the season. If the Bears release Cutler in the offseason, it would have only a $2 million hit against its 2017 salary cap.
