LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – The Bears on Tuesday hadn’t yet decided whether rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will debut against the Bills on Saturday in the team’s second preseason game, and coach Matt Eberflus indicated the decision will largely be tied to the banged-up offensive line’s health.
The Bears plan to decide later this week whether Williams will play Saturday. The Bears want to have a better sense of how well their offensive line can protect Williams and who on that unit will be available to play.
During practice Tuesday morning at Halas Hall, starting right tackle Darnell Wright and starting right guard Nate Davis worked in limited roles as they deal with injuries. Starting left guard Teven Jenkins, who left practice Sunday, returned as a full participant Tuesday. Eberflus and the Bears have a policy in which they don’t share injury specifics during training camp.
The Bears have practiced with different starters at all five positions on the offensive line during the first two-and-a-half weeks of training camp. Starting left tackle Braxton Jones was limited during the initial practices, while the team has a competition at center between Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams didn’t play in the Bears’ rain-shortened win against the Texans last Thursday in Canton, Ohio. The Bears held out their entire starting units on both sides of the football.
Beyond Williams, the Bears are still determining the workload for their starters in the final three preseason games.
The Bears and Bills kick off at noon CT on Saturday in Buffalo.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.