Bears QB Jason Campbell and coach Lovie Smith seem to disagree about whether he has been getting reps in practice. (AP)

The Chicago Bears will consider signing another quarterback as they wait for quarterback Jay Cutler to return from a concussion, and that includes bringing former backup Josh McCown back into the fold.

"We have a list of guys," coach Lovie Smith said Monday at Halas Hall. "First, you look at your roster -- [rookie] Matt Blanchard is on our roster right now. He's an option. But every available quarterback is an option for us if we felt like we needed to go in that direction."

As for McCown, specifically, "He's one of them," Smith said. "He's played good football for us. We're familiar with him."

McCown completed 35 of 55 for 414 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in three games and two starts for the Bears last year after being brought in while Caleb Hanie stumbled through his four starts and four losses as Cutler's backup. McCown beat Minnesota at the Metrodome 17-13.

Cutler suffered a broken thumb after 10 games last year. This time, the Bears have Jason Campbell to start if Cutler can't go. When Cutler suffered a concussion in 2010 against the New York Giants after being sacked nine times in one half, he couldn't play the following week in a win over Carolina. Todd Collins started that game and Hanie finished as Chicago's backups threw five INTs.

Smith said the situation isn't ideal for Campbell.

"It’s tough, but that’s why you bring in a veteran like Jason Campbell, who’s played ball," Smith said. "And you know in the NFL a lot of injuries happen and you have to be ready. Again, that’s why we brought Jason here. He’s a pro. 

"He’s been getting excellent work. If you’re the backup, you’re normally going against the 'one' defense the entire week, so you’re getting good work and we’ve seen Jason Campbell play good football each week. But it’s still not the same as getting all of the reps. Most of the time your starting quarterback will get most of the reps, 95 percent of the reps. If a player can’t go, in this case if Jay couldn’t go and we’re not saying that by any means, but injuries do happen, Jason will be ready to go."

Smith later said Campbell probably got as many as 25 percent of the practice reps as a backup, although Campbell made it sound after Sunday's game as if he hadn't received any.

Considering Cutler's iffy health and penchant for taking on defenders, it might seem logical for the Bears to give Campbell more snaps even after their starter returns.

"That's how life goes," Smith said. "If we could look into the future, then maybe you would do that, but that's just now how it's done." 

Cutler's status will be reviewed by medical personnel throughout the week. He'll have to pass a series of neurological checkpoints before he can return to play. Smith acknowledged it's ideal to know early in the week if Cutler would be available because it helps in preparation.

"You want to know as soon as possible, of course, to let that guy start getting reps," he said. "But I also think that when you set up your roster, you have to keep that in mind on your backup quarterback, on what he can handle as far as getting mental reps and him taking advantage."

Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter @CBSBears.