LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams completed a full practice Thursday and said he feels physically capable of playing Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, though he still requires medical clearance following a serious right hamstring tear.
Williams sustained the noncontact injury during a 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2 while scrambling toward the goal line. Speaking publicly Thursday for the first time since being hurt, Williams revealed that he had suffered a muscle tear rather than a mild strain, ALLCITY CHGO and The Comeback reported.
Injury details and rehabilitation
Williams explained that he felt a sudden pop in the hamstring during the scramble, initially prompting him to look back because he suspected someone had grabbed him. Williams underwent an MRI examination the following day that confirmed a tear. While initial reports from national outlets described the setback as a Grade 2 strain, Williams declined Thursday to specify the precise medical grade, telling reporters he felt false reports had circulated throughout his recovery.
Williams missed three consecutive games, during which the Bears went 2-1 with backup quarterbacks Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum taking snaps under center. Chicago entered the week tied with Detroit and Green Bay at 3-2 in the NFC North, two games behind undefeated Minnesota.
The quarterback noted that while he reached peak sprint speeds during workouts earlier in the week, full clearance depends on data-driven physical stress tests evaluated by team doctors, trainers, and head coach Ben Johnson. Williams said his daily routine has included five to six hours of rehabilitation with Bears staff, alongside supplementary recovery equipment at home.
“I mean, I can move, I can run,” Williams said, according to the Associated Press. “I hit a top speed the other day, one of my high speeds I’ve ever hit and so I can move, I can run, I’ve got strength.”
Pushing back against critics
Williams addressed outside ridicule regarding his emotional display when he was carted off the field against Minnesota with a towel draped over his head. Some league commentators had questioned his reaction at the time of the injury.
Williams said the emotion stemmed from his passion for competition and the immediate fear that his season might be finished. He stated that the skepticism directed at his character serves as additional motivation as he prepares to reenter the lineup.
Offensive coordinator Press Taylor noted that having the starting quarterback back on the practice field provided an emotional lift for the roster following a 31-7 loss to Green Bay, the AP reported.
Roster status and next steps
Before the injury, Williams completed 36 of 55 passes for 407 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while adding 107 rushing yards and seven first downs. Although NBC Sports reported that Williams was listed as a full participant for a second straight day on Thursday, other reports noted Thursday marked his first full workload since the injury occurred.
The Bears faced several other personnel absences on Thursday. NBC Sports reported that running back Kyle Monangai remained sidelined by a toe problem, while linebackers T.J. Edwards and Keyshaun Elliott missed practice with hamstring and quadriceps injuries, respectively. Defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo sat out with a quad issue, and linemen Grady Jarrett and Joe Thuney received rest days. Defensive back Kyler Gordon practiced fully, while cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was limited by a hip injury.
Chicago coaching and medical personnel plan to monitor Williams during Friday’s practice before determining whether he will start in Atlanta or if the team will hold him out for another week.
