Miami Dolphins QB Jay Cutler looks back to normal after broken ribs
Nov 2, 2017 at 12:01 AM Nov 2, 2017 at 5:47 PM
Jay Cutler looks ready to return. (Getty Images)
DAVIE—If someone didn't know Jay Cutler is dealing with multiple fractured ribs, they wouldn't be able to tell it from the way he's moving this week.
In two practices since returning from the injury, Cutler has been mobile and his throwing motion seems completely unimpeded. While Dolphins coach Adam Gase hedged on his status Wednesday, it's clear Cutler will start Sunday against the Raiders.
"He's tough," Gase said. "I just don't see any restrictions for him."
The real test for Cutler will be when he takes hits, which won't happen until Sunday. He will have had two weeks to heal from the shot Jets linebacker Jordan Jenkins delivered.
Cutler missed a game and a half with the injury, during which time Matt Moore filled his spot. Moore played well in a comeback against the Jets, but was terrible in last week's 40-0 loss at Baltimore.
Cutler has been up and down this year, but looked good against Atlanta and the Jets before getting hurt. Over those two games, he completed 31 of 49 passes for 289 yards with four touchdowns against two interceptions. He was sacked just twice on 51 dropbacks.
When he got back on the field for practice Wednesday, he looked like himself to Gase.
"He's not gonna say much," Gase said. "He's always gonna say he's OK, so until he pulls himself out of practice, for the most he's not gonna tell me he's hurting. He looked good to me, so that's what I've gotta go off of."
Moore will be available as the backup despite still working through general soreness from the Baltimore game, and the Dolphins also have the option to keep David Fales active as an emergency option.
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