Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is nearing a return from his hamstring injury but remains day-to-day for the Falcons game, and coach Ben Johnson has not decided who starts if Williams cannot play. Williams sat out his third straight game Sunday while recovering from a Grade 2 hamstring strain he sustained in Week 2. The Bears were routed 31-7 by the Packers.
Williams practiced in a limited capacity Friday and took part in roughly 30 minutes of throwing and mobility work Sunday morning before being ruled inactive. Johnson described the quarterback’s recovery as nearing the finish line but stopped short of a firm target.
He’s on track. We’ll see if it’s Atlanta or after. I think it’s going to be close,” Johnson said, according to ESPN.
What The Team Has Said About Williams’ Status
Williams’ hamstring strain carried an original recovery window of three to four weeks when he was hurt in Week 2. That puts his latest practice participation and workout squarely inside the range Johnson flagged as a possibility for this week or next. No designation beyond Johnson’s “close” description has been given, and the Bears have not confirmed whether Williams will be cleared in time for the Falcons game.
Johnson was equally noncommittal about who takes snaps if Williams sits again. “We’ll recap this game and we’ll make a decision going into next week what’s best for us,” he said, per ESPN. That statement leaves both backups in play and confirms nothing beyond the fact that a call is still pending.
Who Replaces Williams If He Sits
The quarterback competition behind Williams took a turn during Sunday’s loss. Tyson Bagent, making his second straight start, was pulled in the third quarter after throwing his second interception of the day. He finished 12 of 21 for 87 yards with two picks.
Johnson explained the benching plainly. “We felt like we just wanted a little spark there. Tyson just could never feel like he got in a rhythm here today.
We’ll look at why that was the case. The second interception happened and we just felt like let’s give Case a chance out there and see if we get different results,” he said, according to NBC Sports.
Case Keenum took over in the fourth quarter and went 11 of 19 for 108 yards with an interception and a fumble lost on a strip sack, according to the Houston Chronicle. Neither performance settled the question of who would get the start if Williams cannot go, and Johnson’s comments indicate the staff plans to review tape before deciding.
Season Context Behind The Decision
The Bears actually won their first two games without Williams, with Keenum directing a victory over Philadelphia and Bagent leading the win over the New York Jets, a game detailed in Jets vs. Bears preview: Chicago’s big, bold QB test at 2-1. Sunday’s loss to Green Bay marked the first slip in that stretch and arrived alongside a run game collapse.
Chicago entered the week leading the NFL in rushing at 196.3 yards per game but managed only 81 yards on 24 carries against the Packers. Running back Kyle Monangai was also out with thumb and toe injuries, adding to the offensive strain. Keenum told reporters he expects the Bears to bounce back regardless of who lines up at quarterback, per the Houston Chronicle. More on the Packers game.
What’s Next
The Bears visit the Falcons next, followed by the Patriots on Thursday Night Football four days later. After that, Chicago has 11 days off before traveling to face the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, Nov. 2. Johnson indicated the quarterback decision would come after the coaching staff reviews film from the Packers loss, with no official update on Williams’ availability expected before that review is complete.
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