Caleb Williams Injury Update, Latest on QB's Status for Bears-Falcons, Severity of Hamstring Tear

Caleb Williams is expected to start against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Williams previously said that he doesn't know if he would be on the field for Sunday's game.

"Before you start asking, (I) do not know if I'm playing yet," the Chicago Bears quarterback told reporters Thursday while revealing he still must undergo stress testing and pass medical protocols before he will be cleared to return.

Williams suffered a hamstring injury during Chicago's Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. When he was carted off the field, Bears fans likely feared he would be lost for the season.

And while he seems to be ready to return, Williams said he wasn't happy with the reporting and reaction to his setback he called a "hamstring tear" that was "pretty serious."

Williams' status has been the biggest ongoing storyline surrounding the Bears.

He was listed as a full participant in practice for the second consecutive day on Thursday, suggesting he is nearing a return. What's more, he also changed his Instagram profile picture to a photo of John Wick with a bio that read, "I'm inevitable."

"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 he believed the Bears "have three guys that can win games in this league."

Chicago has done more than just tread water during Williams' absence, as Case Keenum led it to a 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles before Tyson Bagent directed a 23-12 win over the New York Jets.

However, things took a turn last Sunday in a 31-7 blowout loss to the rival Green Bay Packers.

▶️ Full Bears-Packers Recap

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Bagent started the game but played so poorly at 12-of-21 for 87 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions that Johnson put Keenum into the game to finish. It was a reminder the Bears likely need Williams healthy and under center quickly if they are going to have any realistic chance of repeating as NFC North champions.

Now, it appears Williams will be back on the field this week.