Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams could return in Week 6 after missing three games with a hamstring injury. (Image via Getty)
The update came one day after Chicago lost 31-7 to the Green Bay Packers without its starting quarterback. Williams has missed three games since suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain on Sept. 20. 18.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo also reported before the Packers game that Williams was trying to return against Atlanta.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Monday that “all signs point to” Williams returning in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons. Rapoport said the original expectation was a three-to-four-week recovery. He has missed three weeks,” Rapoport said Monday. “Really good news for the Bears the other day, with Caleb Williams returning to practice with that hamstring injury,” Garafolo said. Garafolo added that Williams was “pushing to play” in Week 6, although Chicago planned to evaluate his progress throughout the week.
The Chicago Bears may not have to wait much longer for Caleb Williams . Williams has now reached the shorter end of that timeline. “My understanding at the beginning of this whole thing was three to four weeks with a hamstring. “All signs point to Caleb Williams being back on the field this week for Chicago, which considering the way it went this past Sunday, would be quite good news. The Bears have not officially cleared Williams to play against Atlanta on Oct. Still, several developments point toward him getting closer. Williams returned to practice Friday for the first time since suffering the injury. Chicago listed him as a limited participant before giving him a questionable designation for Sunday’s game in Green Bay. The Bears eventually made Williams inactive, but he went through a pregame workout at Lambeau Field. Bears head coach Ben Johnson stopped short of guaranteeing Williams’ return after Sunday’s loss.
Chicago is 3-2 after Sunday’s loss, and the quarterback situation became an immediate concern against Green Bay. Chicago has gone 2-1 during his three-game absence. The Bears now travel to face a 2-3 Falcons team in Week 6. Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news , check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule .
“He’s on track,” Johnson said, according to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. Johnson said after the game that Chicago would review Bagent’s performance before deciding who would start against Atlanta if Williams remained unavailable. “We’ll recap this game, and we’ll make a decision going into next week what’s best for us,” Johnson said. “You don’t last very long in this league if you don’t know how to get back up when you’ve had your a– kicked, and that’s just the way it is,” Keenum said.
“We’ll see if that’s Atlanta or after. I think it’s going to be close. That leaves Williams’ status unresolved for now, but Rapoport’s update is the strongest indication yet that the Bears could get QB1 back Sunday. Tyson Bagent started in place of Williams and threw two interceptions before Johnson benched him. Case Keenum entered in the fourth quarter and later threw a red-zone interception. The Bears scored seven points in the loss. Keenum also defended Bagent after the loss while making clear how quickly NFL teams have to move past performances like Sunday’s. “There’s really good players, really good coaches, really good teams, and if you last long enough, it’s just a matter of time. At some point you’re going to get your a– kicked, and it’s not about that. It’s about how you respond. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Williams’ availability could remove that quarterback decision entirely. The next meaningful update should come when Chicago releases its practice participation and injury information during the week. Until then, Williams has not officially been cleared. Rapoport’s message, however, moved the situation beyond simple optimism. Three weeks after Williams injured his hamstring, Chicago may finally be preparing to put its starting quarterback back on the field. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.