Though Sunday's game vs. the Oakland Raiders will be the Bears' first game in 2011 without Jay Cutler available to play, it won't be their first game completely without him. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported today that Cutler flew himself out to Oakland to support Caleb Hanie in the first start of his career, and will be on the Bears' sideline during the game.
The last time that Hanie took the field, in the 2010 NFC Championship game vs. the Green Bay Packers, Cutler watched Hanie throw a touchdown and two interceptions as the Packers advanced to the Super Bowl amidst speculation that Culter should have played through an MCL tear. If Hanie can navigate the Bears to the playoffs, Chicago hopes to find themselves back with Cutler under center with a shot at the Super Bowl.
For more on this game, check out the Bears blog Windy City Gridiron and Raiders blog Silver and Black Pride. Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more Chicago sports scores and updates.