WARY ON FULLER
Fox won’t say if cornerback will play Sunday
Bears coach John Fox wasn’t tipping his hand on Friday — he rarely does on any day of the week — leaving cornerback Kyle Fuller’s status for Sunday’s game against the 49ers in limbo.
Fuller, on injured reserve after arthroscopic knee surgery in August, returned to practice this week, beginning a 21- day period inwhich the Bears could put him on the 53- man roster. He would have to be activated by 3 p. m. Saturday to be eligible to play against the 49ers.
Fox said Fuller was “making progress” in his return to practice, but otherwise played it coy when asked about his status. The Bears will evaluate Fuller in Saturday’s walk- through before making a decision on his status for Sunday.
“He made it three days in practice [ with] no setbacks,” Fox said. “He seems to be adapting pretty well.”
The Bears announced Thursday that Jay Cutler would undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum. If he is put on injured reserve as expected, the Bears would have a roster spot to activate Fuller.
The Bears want to be certain that Fuller will be able to play if he’s activated. It didn’t sound as if Fox wants Fuller to play if he’s going to be on a “snap count.”
“You’re always a little bit cautious because it does affect your roster,” Fox said. “But if you feel like hemakes you better, that’s a move you make. Now were just working through him medically, durability- wise, and how much he can play.”
Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, who missed last week’s game against the Titans with a concussion, practiced Friday without the red “noncontact” jersey for the first time this week. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Fox did not know if Floyd still was in the concussion protocol after practice.
Cutler was the only active player listed as “out” for Sunday’s game. Wide receiver Eddie Royal ( toe) and outside linebacker Willie Young ( knee) did not practice and are questionable.
Guard Josh Sitton ( ankle), safety Adrian Amos ( foot) and cornerback Deiondre’ Hall ( ankle) were limited and also are questionable. Sitton did not play against the Titans.