Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler reportedly only suffered “bruised ribs” on a punishing hit from Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh during “Monday Night Football.”
Cutler took the snap from under center on a first-and-10 play in the second quarter with the Bears leading 10-0. He faked a handoff on a play action, then began rolling to his right after Suh penetrated up the middle. Suh grabbed Cutler’s left arm and corralled him, then slammed him to the turf in a questionable method; He yanked Cutler down from the shoulder, and seemed to use his right leg to sweep Cutler and take out his legs.
Cutler laid on the ground in obvious pain and was treated by the Chicago trainers. He eventually ran off the field on his own, receiving handshakes from a few Lions players and loud cheers from the home fans at Soldier Field.
Cutler amazingly only missed one play on that drive, then came back in and threw an incompletion on third down. Backup quarterback Jason Campbell led the Bears’ final drive before halftime. Cutler somehow came back out for the start of the third quarter.
ESPN’s Lisa Salters reported that Cutler only had “bruised ribs” despite missing action after the hard hit. It’s hard to imagine that was the extent of the injury after such a jarring hit, but that’s the information the Bears allowed at the time.
Cutler went 1/5 on his first drive of the second half.
