Tense exchanges aside, Caleb Williams’ first public comments since suffering a hamstring tear in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings put the ball squarely in the Chicago Bears’ court as they prepare to face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6.
Williams said he was uncertain if he would play. He also said that he still needed to pass a “stress test” as they progress through the week.
Notably, the Bears will have only had two on-field practices before game day.
They conducted a walkthrough on Wednesday, and they will be going into a short week with the New England Patriots coming into town for “Thursday Night Football” in Week 7. The Bears will not go on bye until Week 10, so their best chance at rest is coming up soon.
Caleb Williams’ Comments Could Give Bears Reason to Hold Off
Bears Must Weigh Big Picture With Caleb Williams
Williams answered questions about his current health and how much the team’s need for him on the field factored into his current return efforts. He did not deny that both were indeed factors, and he was candid about the injury not being fully healed.
Williams noted on Monday that “a hamstring, of any person, doesn’t fully heal after three weeks, four weeks–five months. It takes a while.”
He went on to speak about clearing certain hurdles to be able to play, though.
He also made it clear that he feels he is moving well and even hit one of his top speeds during his recent stretch of rehab work. Ultimately, though, Williams noted that his current status for Week 6 is TBD.
For the Bears, that reality could be enough reason to hold off for another week, just to be as sure as possible before putting him back into game action.
Another week out would also allow them to gauge how his knee responds during the mini-bye.
If Williams is cleared, all signs point to him playing in Week 6 against the Falcons. But if there is any trepidation, the Bears could be better off not bringing Williams back against a defense that ranks fourth in Pass Rush Win Rate and seventh in Run Stop Win Rate entering Week 6, per ESPN.
Bears Looming Decisions Go Beyond QB1
Of course, sitting Williams another week leads to another decision for Bears head coach Ben Johnson: who to start between Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum.
Bagent remains QB2 on the depth chart posted to the Bears’ official team website as of Thursday.
However, that is always subject to change. Johnson also noted they would evaluate their situation this week, just as they do everything after every game. Bagent showed regression from a shaky outing in Week 4 to being benched in Week 5. It undercut the Bears’ high confidence in him.
The Bears would be justified in going with Keenum following his showing in Week 3. However, if Keenum only captured lightning in a bottle in that game, the situation will only get messier.
Williams is back on the practice field for the Bears, logging a full session on Thursday.
That is one step in this process. The Bears must also consider the long-term ramifications as much as this week. Williams will be extension-eligible after this season, which only adds to the implications of his health.
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