The Chicago Bears teased the fans with a chance of Caleb Williams‘ return in against the Green Bay Packers by allowing the QB to practice on Friday in an official capacity for the first time since his hamstring injury in Week 2. On Saturday, the team made its final call on his status for Week 5.
Tom Pelissero of The Ringer reported that the Bears will roll with backup quarterback Tyson Bagent at Lambeau Field tomorrow.
“Bears QB Caleb Williams has resumed throwing, but he’s still working his way back to running full speed as he inches closer to returning from his hamstring injury,” Pelissero reported. “Tyson Bagent starts Sunday at Green Bay.”
Bears QB Caleb Williams Has Real Chance to Return Against Falcons in Week 6
While Bagent will start against the Packers, Williams’ return to the practice field on Friday bodes well for his ability to start against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6.
Some NFL analysts speculated that perhaps the Bears might hold Williams out against Atlanta and the following Thursday Night Football showcase against the New England Patriots, who Chicago will host on short week.
The thinking behind that notion is that the Bears are playing so well without Williams that they can allow him to rest fully and heal completely, then reinsert him into the starting lineup during the 10-day break between the Patriots’ Game in Week 7 and a matchup with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8.
Now, however, it appears as though Williams has a real shot to get back into the QB1 role before the team travels to Atlanta to take on the surging Falcons, who lead the league in pressure rate this season and have the No. 1 offense in the NFL over the past two weeks (both wins).
Bears Will Not Have Running Back Kyle Monangai Against Packers in Week 5
Chicago will also be without running back Kyle Monangai against Green Bay on Sunday due to a turf toe injury.
Monangai took over the top RB role from D’Andre Swift in the second half against the New York Jets last week after Swift fumbled early in the third quarter. Monangai rushed for a career-high 30 carries, 146 yards and two scores on the day.
He suffered a thumb injury during that contest as well, which head coach Ben Johnson said would not be an issue against the Packers and mentioned the workload as the reason Monangai sat out practice on Wednesday. However, the turf toe issue developed over the week and the RB never saw the practice field.
Monangai could miss the game against Atlanta next week as well, depending on how his injury progresses.
Bears Make Final Call on Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent Ahead of Packers Game