ATLANTA — Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is listed as questionable for Sunday’s road game against the Atlanta Falcons, while Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been cleared to play without an injury designation, according to team reports released Friday.
Both signal-callers logged full practice sessions throughout the week, but their official statuses diverge ahead of the Week 6 meeting at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Williams Works Through Hamstring Injury
Williams took part in three straight full practices this week as he works to return from a hamstring injury. Despite the full workload, Chicago officially designated him as questionable on Friday afternoon. News outlets provided conflicting accounts of his recent absence, with Fox News and Bears Wire stating Williams sat out the past three games, while Falcons Wire reported he missed the last two contests.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson declined to name a starter before Friday’s practice, explaining that team staff wanted to observe how the young passer responded over multiple days.
“I’m hopeful we’ll have more clarity at the end of the day today,” Johnson said, as reported by Windy City Gridiron. “He looked good yesterday for one practice, but we’ve got to be able to stack a few back to back.”
Williams spoke to reporters earlier in the week and pushed back against initial reports describing his ailment as minor. He described the injury as a “pretty serious” hamstring tear, Fox News reported, adding that he still faced multiple medical benchmarks before receiving game clearance.
“Before you start asking, do not know if I’m playing yet,” Williams said, according to Fox News. “Have to go through a bunch of medical protocols, obviously have to get out there and practice, do the stress testing that you do when you’re trying to come back from injury or serious injury.”
In limited action across less than two games this fall, Williams has thrown for 407 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, according to Falcons Wire.
Penix Cleared Following Rib Scare
In Atlanta, Penix will take the field Sunday after avoiding any lingering limitations from a rib injury suffered during the Falcons’ overtime loss to Baltimore. Penix briefly exited that contest after absorbing a late hit, returning for a single snap before sitting out the extra period due to rib discomfort.
An MRI scan cleared the way for his return, and Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that the quarterback completed three full practice days without setbacks. Stefanski said Penix will not require extra padding or protective equipment on his ribs Sunday, according to Fox News, nor will the offensive game plan be scaled back.
Penix made his season debut in Week 3 and has accumulated 719 passing yards with three touchdowns this year, Fox News reported.
Additional Roster Concerns
Both teams will be missing key contributors beyond the quarterback position. The Bears ruled out four players on Friday:
- Linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring)
- Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (quadricep)
- Running back Kyle Monangai (thumb and toe)
- Defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo (quadricep)
Chicago also listed cornerbacks Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon as questionable. Stevenson was limited throughout the week with a hip issue, while Gordon practiced fully despite remaining on the physically unable to perform list with a calf injury. Windy City Gridiron reported that if Gordon is not activated for Sunday’s game, the Bears must make a roster move next week before his 21-day practice window ends. Johnson also noted that offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo could make his season debut Sunday.
The Falcons face fewer roster questions. Atlanta ruled out starting cornerback C.J. Henderson due to a groin injury, while veteran defensive end Za’Darius Smith is questionable after participating in Friday’s workout on a limited basis with a neck issue.
Chicago must finalize its active roster by 11:30 a.m. Eastern time on Sunday ahead of the 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
