Latest update on Caleb Williams’ recovery paints a cloudy picture on when the Bears could expect to have the starting QB back on the field
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is continuing to rehab from his Grade 2 hamstring injury but is still considered week-to-week while the Bears are 2-0 without him.
The Chicago Bears are 2-0 since losing quarterback Caleb Williams in Week 2 with a Grade 2 hamstring injury and have managed to get by, so far, with Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent at quarterback running Ben Johnson’s offense.
It’s testament to the quarterback room this team has created having three quarterbacks capable of winning games and Johnson for having those backup options ready to step in his offense and lead this team. It’s something that will continue this week, and maybe even longer than that.
Johnson confirmed on Monday that Bagent is expected to start again in Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers and Williams is not expected to practice. The team’s head coach said that Williams is still week-to-week in his recovery and left it at that.
“He’s doing a great job with his rehab,” Johnson said. “He’s not going to be there this week for us, but we think it’s still a week-to-week deal.”
When could the Bears expect to have Caleb Williams back?
On Thursday, Bears reporter Dan Wiederer of The Athletic spoke to “those in the know” and offered a better update on how Williams’ rehab process is going so far.
“Williams is progressing notably with his on-field recovery steps. Per those in the know, he has looked spry and comfortable taking drops, planting, slinging it around,” Wiederer posted on X.
That is some good news to hear considering Williams has not participated in any of the team’s practices since suffering his injury on September 20. Hamstrings are tricky injuries and it takes time to be fully healthy to make sure you avoid any setback or further injury. Yet, Williams is a determined individual and a fiery competitor that wants to be out there with the rest of his team.
“I know he’s an antsy individual,” Johnson said on Sept. 26. “He’s a competitor. He wants to be out there on the grass going full speed. So it is a little bit more challenging to hold a guy back like that. But if you could build a player, that’s what you’d want him to be like.”
As for when Williams could realistically be back, the team’s schedule has some issues. Next week, the Bears play the Falcons in Atlanta followed by a quick turnaround when the Bears face the New England Patriots at home on Thursday Night Football. Then, in Week 8, the Bears face the Seattle Seahawks on the road followed by a home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers until the Bears finally get to the Week 10 bye.
I doubt the Bears would want to throw Williams out there in Atlanta and then have him quickly turn back around to play the Patriots on a short week given the nature of this injury. My best bet would be Williams plays in Week 8 and gets two games under his belt before seeing how he feels during the bye week.
However, if he’s fully ready to go, I also wouldn’t put it past him pushing to play next week in Atlanta saying he’s able to fully practice throughout the week and has no limitations. The important thing is making sure he’s as close to 100 percent as possible. And as long as the Bears continue winning with their backup, they can give Williams as much time as he needs to reach that point.
