The Bears may be getting the kind of break that can change the tone of a week - and maybe their season.
Caleb Williams, who went down near the end of Week 2 in Chicago’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, is trending toward a return in Week 6, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport said the signs are pointing toward Williams being back on the field for the Bears’ upcoming matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
“The fact that Caleb Williams was working out before the game, in a pretty strenuous workout... this is a very good sign,” Rapoport said. “... All signs point to Caleb Williams being back on the field for Chicago...”
Williams has already missed three weeks, and Chicago has managed a 2-1 stretch with Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent under center. But after a rough Week 5 showing against the NFC North rival Green Bay Packers, the need for Williams back in the lineup has only grown louder.
A Week 6 return would also mean the Bears avoided placing him on injured reserve, since he’d be reaching the same length of absence that usually comes with that move. The team clearly didn’t want to rush him, but the latest update suggests the franchise quarterback is moving in the right direction.
Nothing is official yet. Williams still has to get through practice this week and show he’s ready. But the pregame workout and Rapoport’s report both point the same way.
Chicago enters Week 6 at 3-2, tied for last in the NFC North with the Packers and Detroit Lions, and sitting 2.0 games behind the unbeaten 5-0 Vikings. If the Bears are going to make any real push in the division, getting Williams back quickly is a must.
For now, that return looks possible, and maybe even likely.
In Other News...
Michael Penix Jr.'s Status Suddenly Looms Over Falcons-Bears
Michael Penix Jr.s health quickly became the biggest subplot for Atlanta after Sunday nights loss to the Ravens, when the quarterback took a rib injury late in the game and was unable to be out there for the overtime drive. The Falcons had him undergo an MRI on Monday, and the early read from the organization is encouraging enough to keep him in the conversation for Week 6 against the Bears.
Still, the situation leaves Atlanta with a real wait-and-see feeling heading into the new week, because the Falcons need clarity at the most important position before facing Chicago. If Penix is not cleared, the next quarterback up is expected to be Tua Tagovailoa, which gives the injury update even more weight as the team tries to get its offense settled in time for Sunday. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Loss Exposed One Uncomfortable Truth About Bijan Robinson
Baltimores defense made Atlanta earn everything on the ground, and Bijan Robinsons latest outing was a good example of how even productive days can feel muted when the opponent takes away the run game early. Robinson still found creases and kept the offense moving at times, but the Falcons had to lean more on the passing game than they usually would against a front that was physical from the start and consistently squeezed the space Atlanta wanted to create.
Even in a quieter game by his recent standards, Robinson remained a central piece of the Falcons offense and showed why his role goes well beyond the box score. The larger concern for Atlanta was how quickly the ground attack lost its edge, leaving Michael Penix Jr. to carry more of the load than the Falcons probably wanted against one of the leagues tougher defenses. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Now Face A Bears QB Twist That Changes This Matchup
The Falcons trip to Chicago could still hinge on a quarterback decision that is not fully settled yet. Bears coach Ben Johnson said Caleb Williams is continuing to progress as he works back from the hamstring injury that has kept him out the past three games, and Atlanta is waiting to see whether the rookie is ready in time to change the complexion of the matchup.
If Williams is not able to go, the Bears still have one more wrinkle to sort through before kickoff, with Johnson saying the team has not decided which backup would get the start. Chicago is coming off a loss to Green Bay, and Johnson pointed to the recent play of Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum, leaving the Falcons to prepare for a game plan that could look very different depending on who ends up under center. [Read more 🡒]