LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Quarterback Jay Cutler looks just about ready to play for the Chicago Bears. For linebacker Lance Briggs, the wait might go on. Coach Marc Trestman is optimistic Cutler will return from an ankle injury this week against the Cleveland Browns. He was set to work with the receivers after Wednesdays walkthrough, and Trestman said the Bears will know Thursday if hes ready to start. "Were not going to let it hang through the week," he said. "The starter tomorrow has got to get the work. So well make that decision tomorrow." Cutler has missed the past four games with a high left ankle sprain and also sat out one with a groin injury. Veteran Josh McCown has played well in his place, but the Bears have repeatedly said they will go with Cutler once hes ready. Briggs, meanwhile, has missed the past six games because of a broken shoulder, and the odds that hell suit up against the Browns appear slim. Briggs return would be a huge lift for an injury-ravaged defence that cant stop the run. He was expected to sit out about six weeks after he was injured against Washington on Oct. 20, but the recovery has stretched longer. The Bears clearly miss him. Their defence ranks 27th overall and last against the run, and theyve allowed 198 yards rushing or more in five of the past seven games. "Its not just the intangibles that he brings in terms of leadership and experience and things like that, in confidence," defensive co-ordinator Mel Tucker said. "But he can actually make plays. He can win one-on-one; he can get off blocks. He can run sideline to sideline. He can win one-on-one on running backs on blitzes and things like that. Hes an excellent blitzer. "In the pass game, hes quick, very instinctive. Hes quick to diagnose and because of ... his experience, theres not a whole lot of plays he hasnt seen at some point in time." Whether the Bears have missed Cutler is open to debate, the way McCown is playing. With a 109.8 rating in seven games, McCown trails only Philadelphias Nick Foles (120) and Denvers Peyton Manning (114.5), and his performance in Mondays romp over Dallas might have been his best yet. He became the first player in franchise history with three straight 300-yard passing games, throwing for 348 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. He also ran for one, getting spun like a helicopter as he leaped into the end zone, and the Bears scored on their first eight possessions to jump back into the playoff race. Theyre tied with Detroit for the NFC North lead at 7-6, although the Lions swept them for the tiebreaker, and there have been some calls for the Bears to stick with the hot hand at quarterback. After all, McCown has thrown for more than 1,800 yards and completed nearly 67 per cent of his passes. He has 13 touchdowns and just one interception, but Cutlers numbers arent shabby, either. Hes thrown for just over 1,900 yards, and his 88.4 rating is the highest since he arrived from Denver before the 2009 season. The message the past few weeks has been consistent. Trestman and McCown have repeatedly said Cutler will start when hes ready. It could be this week. Joe Pepitone Cubs Jersey . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Marc-Andre Fleury, Penguins (3) - Surrendered a tough first goal against on a deflection through the body short side. Albert Almora Jr. Jersey .J. - Trying to learn and absorb the new West Coast offence being installed by new offensive co-ordinator Ben McAdoo, the New York Giants wrapped their final organized team activity Thursday before a three-day mini-camp next week. https://www.cheapcubs.com/ . The Brad Jacobs team from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., advanced to Fridays championship game with a 10-6 win over Chinas Rui Liu in the semifinal. Tyler Chatwood Cubs Jersey . - Tiger Woods only made it through 10 holes Thursday — this time because of the weather, not his back. Robel Garcia Cubs Jersey . Atletico Madrid made it three wins from three thanks to a double from in-form striker Diego Costa in a 3-0 victory at Austria Vienna, leaving the Spanish side on the brink of the last 16 already to continue its brilliant start to the season.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Cristiano Ronaldo was among Portugals starting 11 against Ireland in the teams final friendly Tuesday before heading to Brazil for the World Cup. Ronaldo apparently is recovered enough from tendinitis in his left knee and a thigh injury. Ronaldo last played in the Champions League final for Real Madrid on May 24 against Attletico Madrid, scoring the final goal on a penalty kick in the 120th minute of a 4-1 victory.dddddddddddd Portugal played two matches without its lead striker, drawing 0-0 with Greece and defeating Mexico, 1-0. The Portuguese open the World Cup on June 16 against Germany, and also will face the United States and Ghana in Group G. ' ' '