Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is set to return to the starting lineup against the Atlanta Falcons after missing three games with a hamstring injury, according to OutKick, which said it confirmed the expected return. ESPN had reported it earlier. The report said his status was still conditional on getting through pregame warmups without complications.
Williams was injured on Sept. 20 against the Minnesota Vikings and was taken from the field on a cart. He then missed three games. The 24-year-old completed a full week of practice before the anticipated return, with no setbacks reported. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Williams said he did not know whether he would start against Atlanta. He did not give a grade for the hamstring injury, but described it as “pretty serious.”
Chicago won two of its first three games without Williams. Case Keenum started against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, and the Bears won 27-7. Tyson Bagent started the next week against the New York Jets in a 23-12 Chicago victory. Bagent also started against the Green Bay Packers last week, but Keenum came into the game in the fourth quarter. Green Bay won 31-7.
The report listed Chicago at 3-2 and tied with Detroit and Green Bay for second place in the NFC North. Minnesota led the division at 5-0. Williams’ return would give the Bears their starting quarterback as they prepared to face Atlanta, following a stretch in which two backups shared the starting duties.
The report did not provide further details about Williams’ recovery or the team’s plans if he could not play after warmups. His availability for the game therefore remained dependent on his pregame condition.
