Bears' Jay Cutler: Cleared to return

Cutler (thumb) has been cleared to play ahead of next Monday night's game against the Vikings.

Analysis:

Cutler has been sidelined since exiting Chicago's Week 2 loss to the Eagles with a sprained thumb. Although Brian Hoyer acquitted himself nicely in Cutler's absence, his broken arm suffered last Thursday versus the Packers opens the door for Cutler to reclaim the Bears' starting quarterback job without contention. While next Monday's matchup with the Vikings' defense hardly bodes well for Cutler's fantasy prospects, he represents a superior option to Matt Barkley, who figures to serve as the Bears' backup going forward.