Percy Harvin out for Vikings; Cutler returning to Bears?

CHICAGO -- The Minnesota Vikings announced they will be without Percy Harvin, their best receiver, Sunday against the Chicago Bears, who will have quarterback Jay Cutler available to play, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Bears, contacted Saturday by USA TODAY Sports, said they were not confirming or denying Cutler will play. But spokesman Scott Hagel did say Cutler on Saturday took another of the neurological exams necessary to get clearance to play by the NFL.

Cutler's agent, James "Bus" Cook told USA TODAY Sports via a text message on Saturday that he had "no idea" whether the quarterback passed his final exam.

The Vikings said Saturday that Harvin has been downgraded from doubtful to out with a sprained ankle. Harvin will not travel with the rest of the team to Chicago today.

Meanwhile, Cutler has been cleared to play after the quarterback passed his post-concussion exam with an independent neurologist, the Sun-Times reported. That was the final test toward Cutler returning to the field Sunday against the Vikings.

Harvin leaves the Vikings without their leading receiver (62 catches for 677 yards and three touchdowns) in a game the Vikings need to win for a chance to tie the Bears in the NFC North.

Harvin's absence could make the Vikings even more reliant on running back Adrian Peterson, who is in contention for the NFL's comeback player of the year.

Peterson leads the league in rushing 11 months after suffering a torn ACL. He has four consecutive 100-yard games, 1,128 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

"You have a major knee reconstruction, and you would have to know that he went through that because that's not what you see on video right now. It looks like he's 100% and he hasn't missed a beat," Chicago coach Lovie Smith said of Peterson. "He's a great football player. Our guys love playing against him."

Contributing: Jarrett Bell