Bears practice without Jay Cutler, Alshon Jeffery

Jay Cutler did not practice Wednesday, and he wasn’t alone.

Wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal missed practice Wednesday at Halas Hall. Jeffery sat out Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, but Royal played after having a clean bill of health all week. He missed practice with back and hip issues, while Jon Bostic again sat with an ankle injury.

Sources told the Sun-Times that backup Jimmy Clausen will start against the Seahawks after Cutler strained his hamstring trying to chase down Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson, who returned his interception for a touchdown Sunday. Fox, though, said he does not rule out players until the end of the practice week.

“He’s taking it day to day,” Fox said. “We’ll see what tomorrow brings. We don’t rule anybody out for games until Friday.”

Wearing sweatpants and a Bears cap, Cutler was in attendance during practice at Halas Hall, but did not participate.

The players limited Wednesday were Matt Forte (knee), Marquess Wilson (shoulder), Matt Slauson (thigh/toe), Ego Ferguson (knee), Pernell McPhee (knee) and Tracy Porter (hamstring).

“I think every coach in the league would prefer to be 100 percent healthy,” Fox said. “It’s not reality.”

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Email: pfinley@suntimes.com