The Chicago Bears hadn’t yet decided on whether or not to give Jimmy Clausen a second straight start at quarterback following Sunday’s 20-14 loss to the Detroit Lions, but that choice was taken out of their hands as Clausen has been ruled out of their season finale after suffering a concussion.
The injury, which occurred on the Bears’ last series of the game, came early in the drive after Clausen took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Lions defensive lineman Ezekiel Ansah. Clausen got up and immediately started barking at Ansah, but he stayed in the game until he threw an interception on fourth down to end the Bears’ chances of winning.
According to the team, Clausen passed all concussion testing during the game, but began experiencing symptoms later on Sunday night. Here is their full statement:
“After the hit which drew an unnecessary roughness penalty in the final Bears’ offensive drive of the game, Clausen was monitored by the team’s medical staff and the NFL’s ATC spotter. He exhibited no signs of concussion immediately after the hit or during the final four plays of the drive. At the conclusion of the series he was further checked on the sideline and again exhibited no signs or symptoms. After the game he passed all testing by team physicians and reported no concussion symptoms. Prior to leaving the stadium he was told, as per protocol, to contact team athletic trainers if he had any problems later in the day. Clausen experienced symptoms later Sunday evening and contacted trainers. He was taken to a hospital where he was further examined by a team physician and was at that time diagnosed with a concussion. Upon diagnosis, he began the concussion protocol.”
Jay Cutler will start for the Bears at quarterback Sunday, Marc Trestman said Monday.
