Cutler to start for the Bears

Quarterback Jay Cutler is set to return to the Chicago Bears lineup.

Coach Marc Trestman said Cutler would start Sunday at Cleveland after missing the previous four games with a high ankle sprain in his left leg.

Josh McCown, who played well in his absence, goes back to a reserve role.

Cutler went through a full practice Thursday after working out with the receivers following a walkthrough and got the green light to start this week.

"I still wanted to have the opportunity and our staff to work him out vigorously, to burst and move, do sudden footwork, climb the pocket and do those kinds of things," Trestman said.

There was no swelling or any "residual issues" a day later, and he called Thursday's practice a "good start" for Cutler.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' checklist for playing Sunday has two primary items on it: taking the majority of first-team snaps in practice Friday, and getting good results from a scan on his healing left collarbone.

If both those things happen, Rodgers could be back under center for the first time since breaking his collarbone Nov. 4 against Chicago.

Asked after Thursday's practice if he is holding out hope of playing against Dallas, Rodgers paused before replying, "Yes." He said he would need to get most of the work in Friday's practice after sharing snaps with Matt Flynn for the last two days.

- Associated Press