There are strong signal that quarterback Caleb Williams could be back on the field this Sunday. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport stated on Tuesday that the chance for Williams to return against the Atlanta Falcons looks “pretty good.” This comes after the team suffered a crushing 31-7 defeat to Green Bay on Sunday, Oct. 11. The offense stalled completely without its top pick, scoring just seven points in the rain at Lambeau Field.
In the Week 2 loss to Minnesota, Williams suffered a Grade 2 strained right hamstring, according to RotoBaller NFL. Head coach Ben Johnson has not given a clear date for his return. The coach was non-committal about when the starter would be ready after the injury. USC’s top overall selection last week resumed practicing. He was listed as questionable for the game against the Packers but was held out on Sunday. If he gets in a full practice this week, the odds for his return improve even more.
The Backup Showed Glimmers But Need More
While Williams sat on the sideline, the team tried to find answers elsewhere. Week 3 saw Third-stringer Case Keenum beat the Philadelphia Eagles. Backup Tyson Bagent also won a start when Williams was out. With Bagent under center, the Bears managed 23 points against the New York Jets. That was a decent showing compared to the seven points against Green Bay. However, the offense still looked slow and unable to move the ball consistently. The team needs its primary signal-caller to unlock the full potential of the roster.
Ben Johnson admitted it will “be close” for Williams this coming week. The Bears travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 18. The matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium kicks off at 1 p.m. ET. The pressure is on the medical staff to clear Williams for action. If he plays, the offense should see an immediate jump in efficiency. If he sits, the team faces another tough test against a solid defense.
Williams Will Participate At Practice
The best sign that Williams will play will be on Thursday; however, the Bears QB is taking part in the walkthrough on Wednesday. However, if I’m Johnson, I’m waiting until the last minute to keep Atlanta guessing.
The question is, with Atlanta being banged up with injuries, do you save Williams, give him another few days of rest so he’s ready for the Patriots game next Thursday night?
