Bears to start Jay Cutler at QB

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will start Chicago's season finale against the Vikings after Jimmy Clausen experienced delayed symptoms of a concussion Sunday evening and will not play this weekend, the team announced on Monday.

"Jay is our best option," coach Marc Trestman said.

Clausen was ruled out after an examination on Monday morning.

"Jay gives us the best chance this week. So that's why he'll be out there," Trestman said. "Jay said, 'I'll be ready to go.' He empathizes with what Jimmy had gone through last night. He's ready to go. He'll be in this afternoon to get started."

Rookie David Fales will serve as the No. 2 quarterback in Week 17.

According to the Bears, Clausen suffered the concussion in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 20-14 loss to the Detroit Lions after being illegally struck in the head by Detroit defensive end Ezekiel Ansah.

Ansah received a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness, but Clausen remained in the game after he displayed no concussion-related symptoms immediately following the play or during the final four plays of the drive, according to the official statement released by the team.

The Bears say Clausen was further checked on the sideline at the end of the drive but that he again exhibited no signs or symptoms. Clausen was also checked after the game.

Clausen later called the Bears and told them he was experiencing delayed concussion symptoms.