Cutler to visit independent neurologist on Saturday

The Chicago Bears will send Jay Cutler to an independent neurologist on Saturday in hopes he gets final clearance to return to game action on Sunday.

The Bears host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Soldier Field and have listed Cutler as questionable two weeks after he was knocked out of a Nov. 11 loss to the Houston Texans with a concussion, the second he has suffered in three seasons. Cutler was limited in practice today and Thursday but all signs point to him playing.

“He is getting better, he was able to do more today than he did (Thursday),” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “He's looking good.”

The Bears, who have been plagued by ongoing offensive line issues, will not consider resting Cutler another week because of the leaky line.

“No,” Smith said. “If a player is ready to go, he's a professional football player. He wants to do what he does for a living. We held him out last week when he wasn't ready. If a player is injured we won't play them, but if they're ready to go, of course. We're trying to win football games and they want to play.”

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune