Matt Barkley

Jay Cutler to miss rest of the season with shoulder surgery

Published Dec. 9, 2016 12:56 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

A little more than a week after coach John Fox disputed reports that his quarterback would be out for the season, the Chicago Bears made it official Thursday, announcing that Jay Cutler will undergo shoulder surgery Saturday and be placed on injured reserve.

Cutler, who suffered the shoulder injury Nov. 20 against the Giants, has been in and out of the lineup this season. He missed five games due to a thumb injury sustained in Week 2 then played in three games before his latest injury late last month.

Last week, Fox wasn’t sure Cutler would miss Sunday’s game against the Titans, telling reporters that his quarterback is a “tough son of a gun.” Fox went so far to say definitively that the injury wouldn’t end Cutler’s season, despite reports that indicated otherwise.

"It's not season-ending, contrary to the reports you hear," Fox said Nov. 23.

Cutler, who is in his eighth season in Chicago, completed 81 of 137 attempts for 1,059 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions. Matt Barkley, who played in place of Cutler against the Titans, is expected to start Sunday against the 49ers.

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Matt Barkley

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