Dose: Cutler Gets Benched
In a stunning turn of events, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday the Bears will start Jimmy Clausen over Jay Cutler Week 16 against the Lions. On the surface, this decision makes sense for embattled coach Marc Trestman. Cutler has shouldered a lot of the blame for Chicago’s disappointing season, and Trestman needs to do something to "save" his job.
The dirty little secret about Cutler’s season, though, is it has not been statistically different than last year. Cutler’s touchdown and interception percentages are almost exactly the same this year as last, his adjusted yards per attempt is right about at his career average and his completion percentage is actually three points higher than last season. The easy response to these stats is “most” of them have come in garbage time, but that is simply not true. Cutler has as many touchdown passes in the first half this season as the second, and he has actually thrown fewer interceptions.
Cutler has not been great, but he is who he always has been. The Bears knew who Cutler was when they signed him to the huge contract, and the entire “buyer’s remorse” narrative is a convenient was to distract from just how bad the rest of the roster has played this season. There is certainly a chance the Bears trade Cutler or make him a post June-1 release, but the smart money is Cutler will last longer in Chicago than Trestman.
As for Jimmy Clausen’s fantasy prospects, they are dubious at best. Clausen has three touchdowns to nine interceptions in 10 career starts. The Bears can talk all they want about how Clausen will “light it up” in Trestman’s offense, but the reality is he is a well below-average NFL quarterback. He should struggle against the Lions’ stout pass defense.
In Other News…
The Cowboys listed DeMarco Murray (hand) as a “DNP” on their Wednesday practice report, but ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer said Murray went through all the individual drills. Murray looks like he will try to play on Sunday, but we likely will not have a good idea of his status until later in the week. Joseph Randle is a must handcuff for Murray owners.
Julio Jones (hip) did not practice on Wednesday. The always unreliable coach Mike Smith said he expects Jones to return this week, but he said the same thing last week. Roddy White (hip) and Harry Douglas (foot) also did not practice on Wednesday, so it is possible the Falcons were just getting their receivers some rest. Either way, Jones will at best be a game-time decision this week.
CSN Philly’s Rueben Frank reported Chris Polk received the first running back rep at Eagles practice on Wednesday, ahead of LeSean McCoy. McCoy brushed off the incident after practice, saying the running backs “rotate all the time.” Even Frank conceded it was “impossible to tell” if the order actually meant anything. All Polk does is score touchdowns, but he is unlikely to jump McCoy on the Eagles’ depth chart.
T.Y. Hilton (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. Hilton tweaked his hamstring Week 15 against the Texans, but an MRI on Monday came back negative. Hilton would like to practice on Thursday, but with the division locked up and the 2nd seed nigh uncatchable, the Colts may decide to take it easy with their star receiver. He is a must-start if active, but Hilton will be more a risky play this week.
Frank Gore (concussion) and Carlos Hyde (ankle, back) did not practice on Wednesday. Hyde said he would need a miracle to suit up on Saturday against the Chargers, and Gore has yet to be cleared by an independent neurologist. It is a real possibility both Gore and Hyde sit out against San Diego. The 49ers signed RB Phillip Tanner on Wednesday and would likely turn to a committee of Alfonso Smith and Tanner if both Gore and Hyde sit out. Neither player is worth a look in the fantasy championship.
The 49ers cut LE Ray McDonald on Wednesday after reports surfaced he is being investigated by the San Jose Police Department on a rape allegation. A search warrant has been issued for McDonald’s home. McDonald was arrested on felony domestic violence charges over the summer, but those charges were eventually dropped.
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News and Notes
Cam Newton (back) split first-team reps with Derek Anderson in Wednesday’s practice. He will likely play this week. … Ryan Mathews (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. He is not playing on Saturday. He will be joined on the bench by Keenan Allen (ankle, collarbone). … Blake Bortles (foot) is questionable for Thursday night’s game against the Titans, but he is fully expected to start the most anticipated game of the week. … Kendall Wright (hand) and Delanie Walker (knee) are listed as questionable for Thursday night, but both should play. … Rashad Jennings (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. He is very unlikely to play. … The Broncos expect Ronnie Hillman (foot) back “if not this week at Cincinnati then in the season finale.” Hillman will be returning to his more natural change of pace role behind entrenched starter C.J. Anderson. … Kyle Rudolph (knee, ankle) did not practice Wednesday. He admitted he is not completely recovered from his sports-hernia surgery and is now dealing with knee and ankle injuries on top of it. … C.J. Spiller (shoulder) was limited in Wednesday’s practice. He has been activated from I.R./recall, but he is not guaranteed to play. … The Eagles have opened contract talks with impending free agent OLB Brandon Graham. A 2010 first-round pick, Graham has six sacks and 33 hurries in 423 snaps this season. … Aaron Rodgers would like the Packers to re-sign impending free agent Randall Cobb. In other news, water is wet. … Dexter McCluster (knee) is expected to miss the rest of the season. … Patriots placed DE Dominique Easley on injured reserve with a knee injury. … Texans signed QB Ricky Stanzi to their practice squad. … Jaguars signed QB Stephen Morris off their practice squad. … Bucs signed DE Lawrence Sidbury. … Ravens signed CB Chris Greenwood. … Broncos signed S Josh Bush off their practice squad.
Injury Quick Slants
Arian Foster (hip, rest), Philip Rivers (chest), DeAndre Hopkins (ankle), Percy Harvin (ankle) and Michael Crabtree (knee) did not practice on Wednesday.
Jamaal Charles (knee, ankle), Calvin Johnson (ankle), Eddie Lacy (eye), Andre Johnson (concussion), LeGarrette Blount (shoulder), Julian Edelman (concussion), Shane Vereen (ankle), Brandon LaFell (shoulder), Matt Asiata (foot), Larry Fitzgerald (knee), Greg Jennings (hamstring), Derek Carr (thumb, ankle) and DeAngelo Williams (hand) were limited in practice on Wednesday.
