CHICAGO — Caleb Williams is expected to play in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons after missing the previous three games with a right hamstring injury, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Williams got hurt in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Chicago Bears went 2-1 with Williams out. They beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3 and the New York Jets in Week 4 before getting blown out by the Green Bay Packers in Week 5.
“The fact that Caleb Williams was working out before the game in a pretty strenuous workout, looking pretty good, looking like himself. I mean, he looks like Caleb Williams, right? I mean, you guys are watching this like I am. This is a very, very good sign,” Rapoport said.
“My understanding at the beginning of this whole thing was three to four weeks with a hamstring. He has missed three weeks. The fourth week is next week. He was working out hard before the game, and he returned to practice the Friday before. All signs point to Caleb Williams being back on the field this week for Chicago, which considering the way it went this past Sunday, will be quite good news.”
Williams Was Amazing In Week 1, Struggled In Week 2 Before Injury
Chicago scored 59 points in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers. Williams had 269 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 65 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
However, the Bears’ offense was a mess against the Vikings, who have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Chicago had only 297 total yards after putting up 552 total yards against Carolina.
Williams finished the Bears-Vikings game with 138 passing yards, zero passing touchdowns and one interception. He also had 42 rushing yards on five carries. The 24-year-old was injured on his fifth carry.
The Bears selected Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 draft. The USC product has 7,890 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 984 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in 36 starts.
Bagent Was Awful Against Packers
The Bears lost to the Packers at Lambeau Field by a final score of 31-7, and Chicago QB Tyson Bagent played horribly.
After helping the Bears beat the Jets in Week 4, Bagent was putrid against the Packers. He went 12-of-21 for 87 passing yards and was sacked twice.
Bagent had zero touchdown passes and two interceptions. He was replaced by Case Keenum, who started in Week 3 against the Eagles and played very well, after his second interception.
Keenum went 11-of-19 for 108 yards after taking over for Bagent. He threw an interception and was sacked twice.
The Bears desperately need Williams back under center. It appears that will happen next week against the Falcons.
Chicago enters Week 6 at 3-2, while Atlanta is 2-3.
