Bears QB Jay Cutler will be out for an indefinite period of time with a broken thumb. (AP)

As the Bears prepare for their trip to Oakland to take on the Raiders Sunday, they do so without the leader of the their offense. Quarterback Jay Cutler will need surgery on a broken thumb on his right throwing hand and will be out for an extended period of time, according to coach Lovie Smith.

Cutler suffered the injury trying to make a tackle after an interception in the fourth quarter of Chicago’s 31-20 win over the Chargers on Sunday. He finished the game, as the team did not know the full extent of the injury until after the game.

While the injury is a blow to the Bears (7-3), Smith stressed that Cutler will play again this year.

“Is it a season-ending injury? No,” Smith said. “From what I’ve been told right now, we can expect him back at the end of the regular season.”

Following are more notable injuries from Week 11 of the NFL season.

• Vikings running back Adrian Peterson suffered a high ankle sprain in the first quarter of Minnesota’s loss to the Raiders on Sunday. Peterson’s status for next week’s game against the Falcons is unknown. He will wear a protective boot and not practice until Friday to determine his availability against Atlanta.

• Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe is expected to play against the Falcons after suffering a mild strain of the hamstring against the Raiders.

• Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck injured his right forearm and elbow against the Falcons on Sunday, but tests on Monday revealed no structural damage. Tennessee will see how Hasselbeck feels throwing the ball this week before determining his status for the Titans’ game against the Buccaneers Sunday.

• Add Packers running back James Starks to the list of players who are uncertain for this week. Starks sprained his knee in Green Bay’s win over the Buccaneers, and the Packers will see how he looks in Tuesday’s practice, if he’s able to practice.

• Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings suffered a knee bruise against the Bucs on Sunday, but teammate Donald Driver said that he thinks Jennings will play on Thursday against the Lions.

• Bills running back Fred Jackson bruised his calf in Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins and his status for Buffalo’s game against the Jets Sunday is uncertain. Coach Chan Gailey said on Monday that the Bills would have to “wait and see” with Jackson, who has been Buffalo’s best offensive player all season.

• Bills wide receiver Donald Jones will be out 3-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain suffered against the Dolphins. Buffalo cornerback Terrence McGee‘s season is over after suffering a knee injury against Miami.

• After being carted off the field in his team’s loss to the Vikings on Sunday, Raiders wide receiver Darius Heyward-Bey likely will not play against the Bears this Sunday with a spine injury. But Heyward-Bey will be back playing soon, according to coach Hue Jackson.

• Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson suffered a bruised foot early in the Eagles’ win over the Giants on Sunday. Coach Andy Reid did not sound overly concerned about the injury on Monday, but Jackson’s status for Sunday’s game against the Patriots remains uncertain.

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