Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler sporting rib injury, but won't be limited vs. Panthers

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler remains sore after taking a big hit from Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh during Chicago's Monday Night Football win over the Detroit Lions.

In fact, Cutler's ribs are so sore that he plans on continuing to wear protective rib pads, as the Bears get ready to take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 8.

Cutler vowed that he will be ready to play in Week 8, and Chicago offensive coordinator Mike Tice is expecting Cutler to play on Sunday.

"I sat with him in the cafeteria. He's sore, but we're going to go," Tice said. "We were a little cautious (in the second half Monday) obviously, once he got hurt. We didn't want to expose him. Didn't really throw the ball down the field except when we were getting pressed. But he is ready to go. I was very, very pleased with Jay."

Though Cutler's Bears are leading the NFC North with a 5-1 record, Cutler's overall numbers are fairly pedestrian this season. Through Chicago's first six games, Cutler is 106-of-187 passing for 1,359 yards, while throwing eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. Four of Cutler's seven interceptions came in Chicago's Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Cutler's numbers should improve if he plays on Sunday, as the Panthers sport the No. 19 pass defense in the league.