LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears had their coach back on Thursday.Although the quarterback and running back remained an entirely different matter.A day after missing practice because of a stomach virus, coach John Fox returned to Halas Hall and said quarterback Jay Cutler is not up to playing in a game at this point.So Cutler sat out of practice Thursday because of a sprained right thumb.I think we just didnt want to aggravate it more, Fox said. Again, a thumb on a throwing hand of a quarterback is a delicate situation. So we just figured we wouldnt go out there and have any stress on it.Cutler, who missed Sunday nights 31-17 loss at Dallas, had practiced Wednesday on a limited basis for the first time since his injury occurred Sept. 19 in a 29-14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.Fox said it wasnt a case where Cutlers thumb worsened after Wednesdays practice.No setbacks, just healing, Fox said.However, Cutler hadnt really done much throwing in Wednesdays practice as the winless Bears (0-3) prepared to host Detroit (1-2) Sunday.A clearer situation could present itself Friday, but backup Brian Hoyer continues to lead the offense while Cutler watches.Right now hes really not able, Fox said about Cutler. He can go out there and take snaps, but to be able to throw the ball into tight windows and the things youve got to do in this league to perform at a high level, if we feel good about that tomorrow (Friday) or we feel good about that Saturday, then (we) wouldnt hesitate to put him in.Right now its hard for me to say, until those days hit.Hoyer continues to operate under the uncertainty of whether hell start, but said its merely the life of an NFL backup.For me Im every day trying to prepare to play whatever his status is, Hoyer said. Until someone tells me different Im just preparing like Im going to play and thats if he was playing I would prepare the same way.Hoyer completed 30 of 49 for 317 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against Dallas, but was just 8-for-12 for 71 yards at halftime. The Bears managed only four first-half first downs and trailed 24-3.Its possible Hoyers job would be easier with the other positions on offense more settled, but running back remains an issue.Starter Jeremy Langford has been out since suffering an ankle injury in Sundays game and backup KaDeem Carey remains out of practice after missing Sundays game entirely with a pulled hamstring.As a result, rookie Jordan Howard has taken first-team snaps and is the likely starter. Howard has 67 rushing yards on 12 attempts this season, but the fifth-round draft pick from Indiana has to display improvement in the passing game as a blocker.Hes getting there, offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. Hes getting closer.In the NFL, its a little bit different than college football with all the different fronts and with all the different personnel packages. Hes working really hard to get caught up to speed with that, but hes doing a nice job as a runner.The Bears rank 30th in the league in rushing and last in time of possession, so the running game has to show drastic improvement.Earlier this week, the Bears signed former Lions running back Joique Bell and hope to have him available after only a few practices for backup duty against his old team.Picking up the offense in such a short time will be a challenge.Asked if Bears coaches were picking his brain for information on the Lions, Bell said, Right now, I think theyre just trying to feed my brain.Game notes Guard Kyle Long (shoulder) went through a full practice after being limited Wednesday. Guard Josh Sitton (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis. ... Defensive end Mitch Unrein (knee) went through a full practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday. ... Safety Harold Jones-Quartey, who had suffered a concussion, was able to practice Thursday on a limited basis.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Rodney Hudson Jersey . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. Derek Carr Jersey . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. http://www.cheapraidersjerseysauthentic.com/ . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Eddie Vanderdoes Jersey . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Jim Otto Jersey . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. PITTSBURGH (7-5) at BUFFALO (6-6)Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE -- Steelers by 2RECORD VS. SPREAD -- Steelers 7-5, Bills 5-6-1SERIES RECORD -- Steelers lead 15-9LAST MEETING -- Steelers beat Bills 23-10, Nov. 10, 2013LAST WEEK -- Steelers beat Giants 24-14; Bills lost to Raiders 38-24AP PRO32 RANKING -- Steelers No. 8, Bills No. 20STEELERS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (11), RUSH (18), PASS (8).STEELERS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (14), RUSH (6), PASS (19).BILLS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (19), RUSH (1), PASS (32).BILLS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (12), RUSH (25), PASS (8).STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES -- Steelers have won five straight and nine of 10 against Bills, and three straight at Orchard Park, including 29-24 season-closing win in 2004 that eliminated Buffalo from playoff contention. ... Steelers have won three straight since ending four-game skid. ... They have combined record of 46-18 over final four games of season since 2000. Bills are 25-39 over same stretch during 16-year playoff drought. ... At 99-57, Pittsburghs Mike Tomlin one win from becoming 40th NFL coach and third in Pittsburgh with 100 victories. ... With 3,034 yards passing, QB Ben Roethlisberger has topped 3,000-yard plateau for 11th consecutive season. ... WR Antonio Brown has 49 TDDs, two short of matching Lynn Swann for third on team list.dddddddddddd ... RB LeVeon Bell is Steelers first player with 100 yards rushing in three straight games since Willie Parker had four-game streak spanning 2006-07. ... LB James Harrison has franchise-leading 79 1/2 sacks and at least one in each of past three games. ... Including American Football League, Bills (399-457-8) one win short of becoming 22nd franchise with 400 victories. ... Buffalo opens three-game homestand before closing season at Jets. ... Bills have topped 150 yards rushing in five straight games. Team record is seven straight spanning 1973-74. ... QB Tyrod Taylor is 1-9 when attempting 30 or more passes, and 13-3 with 29 or fewer attempts. ... Against Oakland, Buffalo held without sack for first time this season. ... Defense has no takeaways in five of past six. ... Fantasy Tip: Forecast of snow means Steelers RB Bell should have opportunity to plow through Buffalo defense that has allowed 322 yards and three TDs rushing past two games.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '