National Football League

Cutler to have pins removed from thumb

Published Dec. 26, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith says quarterback Jay Cutler will have pins removed from his surgically repaired right thumb on Tuesday.

Cutler has not played since a win over the San Diego Chargers on Nov. 20, when he broke his thumb trying to help make a tackle following a late interception. The Bears (7-8) have since unraveled with five straight losses and were officially eliminated from playoff contention with a 35-21 defeat at Green Bay on Sunday, a drastic fall for a team that appeared to be a postseason lock.

It didn't help that star running back Matt Forte sprained a ligament in his right knee against Kansas City two weeks after Cutler went down, yet Smith would not rule them out for this week's season finale at Minnesota.