INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts will prepare for the Bears this week without knowing exactly who will be under center for the visiting team on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Will Jay Cutler's injured thumb heal enough for him to start back in his home state this weekend?
Does that even matter?
Cutler's status is in doubt after he injured it in Week Two.
With Cutler out since, journeyman Brian Hoyer has filled in more than adequately.
Hoyer, who the Colts know well from his days in Houston, has completed 69.1 percent of his passes for 697 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in a little more than two games of work.
On Monday, Chicago head coach John Fox said the Bears wouldn't necessarily make a change at quarterback when Cutler does return to health.
Last week, with an efficient Hoyer and a breakthrough performance in the run game, the Bears got their first win of 2016.
Rookie running back Jordan Howard (Indiana University) had 23 carries for 111 yards in a 17-14 victory over the Lions.
When the Bears defense gets on the field Sunday, the Colts will encounter a very familiar face.
Jerrell Freeman is roaming the middle of the Bears defense and has continued his strong play from what the Colts got out of No. 50 the previous four seasons.
It's a unit that does rank 10th in total defense after the first quarter of the season.
These teams scrimmaged against each other during last year's preseason.
After Sunday, the Colts will head on the road for back-to-back AFC South contests (Houston on 10/16, Tennessee on 10/23).
*2016 Record: *1-3, tied for 3rd in the NFC North.
*Head Coach: *John Fox, head coach (15th season as an NFL head coach, 2nd season as Bears head coach, 126-102 overall regular season, 8-7 postseason record).
*2016 NFL Rankings: *Offense – Overall, 24th (335.0); Rushing, 26th (82.3); Passing, 15th (252.8). Defense – Overall, 10th (333.5); Rushing, 26th (123.5); Passing, 8th (210.0).
2016 Leading Passer: Brian Hoyer (67-of-97 comp., 697 yards, 69.1 pct., 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 103.3 rating). *2016 Leading Rusher: *Jordan Howard (35 carries, 178 yards, 0 TDs).
*2016 Leading Receiver: *Kevin White (19 receptions, 187 yards, 0 TDs).
2016 Leading Sacker: Cornelius Washington, Willie Young, Danny Trevathan, Akiem Hicks and Sam Acho (1.0).
2016 Turnover Breakdown: Minus 2 (tied for 23rd in the NFL).
2016 NFL Draft Results: The Bears found a pass rusher in Round One by taking Leonard Floyd out of Georgia with the No. 12 overall pick. Floyd has 0.5 sacks this season. In the second round, the Bears chose guard Cody Whitehair, arguably the top guard in the draft. Whitehair has started all four games in 2016. Chicago's steal of the draft came in Round Five with Indiana running back Jordan Howard. Due to injuries, Howard has been the team's leading rusher after a quarter of the season.
2015 Review:It was a sluggish beginning to John Fox's first season in Chicago. After a 2-5 start, the Bears did win three of their next four to get back into the fringe of the NFC playoff picture. But dropping four of their five games ended any playoff hopes for Fox's first season. The 2015 campaign was also the first for new GM Ryan Pace, who came over from New Orleans.
Last time in Playoffs: 2010 season. Lost to the Green Bay packers, 21-14, in the NFC Championship.
*Last time in Super Bowl: *2006 season. Lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 29-17, in Super Bowl.
*Super Bowl Championships: *One (Super Bowl XX).
2016 Pro Bowl Selections: OT-Kyle Long.
