NFL

Caleb Williams set to return for Chicago Bears against Atlanta Falcons

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 18, 2026, 02:13 IST

Caleb Williams is expected to start for the Chicago Bears on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons after recovering from a torn hamstring that sidelined him for the previous three NFL games.

Caleb Williams set to return for Chicago Bears against Atlanta Falcons

The Chicago Bears are preparing to welcome back starting quarterback Caleb Williams for Sunday's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The signal-caller has been sidelined for the past three weeks while recovering from a torn hamstring, an injury sustained during the team's September 20 contest against the Minnesota Vikings.

Sources indicate that Williams is on track to reclaim his position under center after successfully navigating a full week of practice without experiencing any setbacks. While the team has officially designated him as questionable for the trip to Atlanta, his participation in starter repetitions throughout the week suggests he is poised to return to the lineup.

Williams returns after three-game absence

The decision to reintegrate Williams follows a positive progression during the week. After participating in Wednesday's walk-through, the quarterback reportedly looked like himself during Thursday and Friday sessions. Bears head coach Ben Johnson confirmed late Friday that his starter was on track, providing a significant boost to the team's preparation for the upcoming road game.

Williams appeared to signal his readiness to return via social media, sharing a video that addressed recent criticism he faced following his injury-enforced exit in Week 2. The clip featured a reference to the character Carmy Berzatto from the television series The Bear, emphasizing a motivated mindset ahead of his return to competitive action.

Chicago's performance during the injury layoff

The Bears managed to maintain a competitive edge during the three games Williams missed, posting a 2-1 record despite dealing with multiple injuries to key starters. The team utilized different options at the quarterback position during this period, with Case Keenum stepping in to lead the side to a dramatic victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3. Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent also saw action during the stretch, recording a 1-1 record in his appearances.

With Williams now expected to be back in the fold, the Bears look to build on their recent momentum as they head to Atlanta. The team's ability to navigate the injury crisis has kept them in a stable position, but the return of their primary starter marks a pivotal development for the remainder of their schedule.