The Bears are planning on quarterback Caleb Williams starting Sunday against the Falcons, ESPN reported Saturday. Coach Ben Johnson said Friday the quarterback had been on track to start, though the team called him questionable.
Williams tore his hamstring while running to his left — and toward the end zone — in the final minutes of the team's Week 2 loss to the Vikings.
He was replaced by Case Keenum in a Week 3 win and Tyson Bagent in a Week 4 victory. Bagent struggled mightily in Sunday's 31-7 loss to the rival Packers and was eventually benched for Keenum.
Williams returned to practice on Oct. 9, albeit on a limited basis. He was a full participant all week — first on Wednesday's estimated practice report and in practice on Thursday and Friday. Williams said Thursday there were medical checkpoints he needed to clear in order to play Sunday and Johnson said he hoped to know by the end of the day Friday.
"I trust myself," Williams said Thursday. "I trust my body. I trust my guys. And so, if I’m out there, I’m out there and it’s full trust."
Williams groused about the coverage of his injury, saying that no one accurately portrayed the severity of the hamstring problem. Johnson said Friday he didn't sense frustration from Williams other than him having to navigate how to handle a major injury for the first time in his NFL career. Before he was hurt against the Falcons, Williams had never missed a professional snap due to an injury.
Williams re-posted a highlight video to social media Friday night suggesting a return could be imminent.
