LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Believe it or not, former USC quarterback Matt Barkley is literally one play away from running the Bears offense.
With veteran Brian Hoyer expected to start Sunday night in Dallas – Jay Cutler is doubtful with a sprained right thumb – Barkley will be elevated to the No. 2 role after he joined the organization less than three weeks ago. On Thursday, the Bears elevated Barkley off the practice squad to the active roster.
In a perfect world, Hoyer stays healthy until Cutler returns, which may be sooner than people expect. Given Cutler’s track record of beating projected timetables, you cannot yet rule him out of next Sunday’s home game against Detroit.