Dobbins fined $30k for hit on Cutler

It won’t get Jay Cutler back on the field any sooner, but Houston linebacker Tim Dobbins may give pause before administering another blow similar to the one he delivered on Cutler to give the Bears quarterback a concussion.

Dobbins is being fined $30,000 but not suspended for his helmet-to-helmet shot on Cutler, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday.

 

Cutler’s exact status will not be declared officially until later in the week, although an “out” designation could be given as early as Thursday. The same will apply to rookie defensive end Shea McClellin, who sustained a concussion on the first play of the Houston game and was removed from the game.

 

“[Cutler] is getting better,” coach Lovie Smith said. “We’re still evaluating him, he’s meeting with people, medical staff, our trainers and all of that, but he’s getting better. We do have a little bit more time and that’s always good.”

 

Cutler has had previous concussions and the increased awareness of cumulative damage done by brain injuries raises serious shorter- and longer-term questions, this immediate season as well as his future.

 

Careers of quarterbacks like Troy Aikman and Steve Young were shortened by concussion effects. Running back Merrill Hoge’s career was ended in 1994 as a member of the Bears because of multiple concussions. Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer’s career ended with a final concussion in the 2010 preseason.

 

But Smith is not and can not look beyond the San Francisco 49ers at this point.

 

“I just worry about the one he had the other night,” Smith said. “I can’t look into the future or anything like that. Every case is different. Jay’s feeling a whole lot better. It’ll all play out….

 

“When a guy has a concussion, whether it’s the first or whatever, it’s a concern for you. We will do everything thing possible to get him back but it’ll all take care of itself, whether it’s two or whatever. He’s not going to go back practicing until he’s completely well and ready to go. He won’t play until there’s no issues with that.”