Last night’s Chicago Bears-San Francisco 49ers game on NFL Network was watched in an average of 2.75 million homes — topping last year’s opener by 29 percent and ranking as the most-watched season opener in the four seasons of Thursday Night Football.

The NFL fined Bears QB Jay Cutler $20,000 for abuse toward a game official and DT Tommie Harris $7,500 for throwing a punch at a player during Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports, citing a league source.

Neither the 49ers nor Bears seem to want to grab this game by the horns.

Jay Cutler doesn’t like playing at night.

49ers 7, Bears 3 at the half.

Jay cutler thorws another red-zone pick.

About what we expected.

The jawing between Adewale Ogunleye and Vernon Davis before the game was no joke. I was right on the sidelines and at one point I thought they were gonna throw down. Cooler heads prevailed.

The NFL announced Wednesday that the kickoff time for the Nov. 29 Bears-Vikings game in Minnesota has been moved to 4:15 p.m. ET to accommodate Fox’s broadcast patterns.

Veteran WR Isaac Bruce might not play in the 49ers’ Thursday night game against the Bears because of an ankle injury suffered in practice this week.

As reported earlier by NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, former Chiefs RB Larry Johnson cleared waivers Tuesday and is now officially a free agent. And, of course, teams are already being discussed as having interest in his services.

The 49ers will need Frank Gore to be prepared for a heavy work load on Thursday night against the Bears, as backup RB Glen Coffee (concussion) has been officially ruled out.

Larry Johnson, who was released Monday by the Kansas City Chiefs, has cleared waivers and is now a free agent, a league source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.

The 2009 Bengals are no longer the same old squad, as evidenced by their 17-7 win over the Ravens on Sunday. They are, according to Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Paul Daugherty, the New Same Old Bengals (NSOBs).

With all of the Week 9 action in the books, here’s a look at some of Sunday’s notable injuries we’re tracking.