Lovie Smith: 'It's looking good' for Jay Cutler return this week

The Chicago Bears left Jay Cutler behind during their trip to San Francisco and it was for the better.

Cutler didn’t need to witness first-hand the punishment that could be awaiting him when he returns after Aldon Smith recorded 5 ½ sacks of backup Jason Campbell in a 32-7 victory for the 49ers.

Cutler missed his second game in three seasons because of a concussion. He has yet to be cleared to return to practice after being knocked out of a loss on Nov. 11 to the Houston Texans. But Bears coach Lovie Smith was relatively upbeat Cutler could be returning soon.

“He was feeling better,” Smith said. “He got better as time went along. He was feeling a lot better at the end of the week so it’s looking good.”

But you never know about a player returning from a concussion and after watching Aldon Smith set a record against the Bears, maybe Cutler will want to lay low a little longer.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune