Caleb Williams Injury Update and Timeline for Bears Star, Ben Johnson Talks QB1 Plans vs. Falcons

Sunday's 31-7 blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers made it clear the Chicago Bears are going to need Caleb Williams back under center if they are going to accomplish their long-term goals this season, and the quarterback could return for the upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons.

"He's doing a great job progressing, and we'll see when we can make him available to help us win ball games," head coach Ben Johnson told reporters Monday. "But he's itching to get back as soon as he can, which is a good thing, and when we get the green light, we'll move forward from there."

Johnson also said "no determination" has been made on the starting quarterback between Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum if Williams cannot play and added, "we have three guys that can win games in this league."

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Williams suffered a hamstring injury and was carted off the field during Chicago's Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Bears fans surely feared his season might be over in the immediate aftermath of the injury given the help he needed to get off the field and the cart, but all indications are he will be back sooner rather than later.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that "all signs point to Caleb Williams being back on the field this week for Chicago."

Rapoport also referenced the "strenuous workout" the quarterback underwent ahead of the team's loss to the Packers. It seemed to be an important step to clear, and Johnson's comments didn't indicate there was any type of setback.

Despite the loss to Green Bay, Chicago has done a solid job of treading water without its star quarterback.

Keenum led the Bears to a 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles by throwing for 247 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions, while Bagent directed a 23-12 win over the New York Jets by throwing for 268 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.

But Bagent was so bad during the loss to the Packers at 12-of-21 for 87 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions that Johnson turned back to Keenum at the end of the game once the outcome was already well in hand.

It wouldn't be shocking if Keenum started against the Falcons given those performances if Williams cannot play, but Chicago would be much better off with its top signal-caller back in the lineup.