Caleb Williams has moved closer to making his return for the Chicago Bears after sitting out the last three games due to a hamstring injury. The quarterback is expected to take full part in Wednesday’s walkthrough as the team gets ready to play the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6.
Head coach Ben Johnson is staying careful about the situation, though, indicating that Chicago has not yet settled on its starting quarterback. Williams’ improvement is a positive sign, but it has not been confirmed whether he will be available on Sunday.
Caleb Williams injury update before Week 6
According to Johnson, Williams will be a full participant in Wednesday’s walkthrough, which is the strongest hint so far that the quarterback could be back against Atlanta.
The Bears are still assessing their choices, with Johnson calling the quarterback situation “fluid”. Still, he said he feels confident about how the coaching staff has handled the decision.
“It’s still fluid,” Johnson told reporters. “But I feel good about the plan that we have in place at this point.”
Wednesday’s session was only a walkthrough and not a full practice, so Thursday’s work should give a clearer picture of whether Williams is ready to play again.
Bears’ quarterback decision still up in the air
Johnson has shown in the past that he prefers to give his starters as many practice reps as possible. That thinking played a role in Chicago’s choice to start Case Keenum against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, which makes Williams taking part in Wednesday’s walkthrough a positive sign.
But the Bears are considering more than just the quarterback’s recovery from injury as they look at their options for Sunday.
Johnson was asked whether the short turnaround between the Falcons game and the Bears’ next matchup against the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football on October 22 might affect the decision.
“In regard to the quarterback situation, a lot of things have gone through our minds,” Johnson said.
Hamstring injury kept Williams out for three games
Williams suffered the hamstring injury on a fourth-quarter scramble in Week 2. At first, the expectation was that he would miss three to four games, leaving Chicago to cope without its starting quarterback.
The Bears won two of the three games Williams sat out, keeping a respectable record while he was unavailable. But the most recent setback came in Week 5, when backup Tyson Bagent struggled in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Even with that defeat, Chicago’s 2-1 record without Williams is a solid result given the circumstances. A possible return would give the Bears another option as they get ready for the Falcons.
Caleb Williams’s return depends on health and preparation
Johnson emphasized that the health of all three quarterbacks is the main concern, admitting that none of them may be at full fitness at this point in the season.
The coach also pointed out how important it is for the starting quarterback to be properly in sync with the offensive line, the overall operation, and the pass catchers. All of those factors will play a part in the final decision.
“First and foremost, health is the No. 1 priority for all three guys,” Johnson said, adding that the coaching staff has to weigh both the immediate demands of the Falcons game and the bigger picture beyond Sunday.
Williams taking part in the walkthrough is an encouraging step, but the Bears are expected to have a clearer idea of his condition after Thursday’s practice. Until then, his status for Week 6 is still uncertain.