(104.3 The Score) The Bears will begin on-field preparations Wednesday for their game against the Falcons on Sunday. As of now, it’s unclear who will be under center at that time.
On Monday, Bears head coach Ben Johnson indicated the situation remains fluid as the team evaluates the health of starting quarterback Caleb Williams, who’s still working back from a hamstring injury.
Williams conducted a workout Sunday at Lambeau Field before he was ruled out of the Bears’ 31-7 loss to the Packers. That was the Bears’ plan all along. Williams practiced this past Friday for the first time since he suffered the hamstring injury on Sept. 20.
Backup quarterbacks Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum each struggled Sunday in the Bears’ ugly loss. As for Williams, Johnson was mum on the specific steps that he'll need to take to return to game action.
"When we get the green light, we'll move forward from there," Johnson said.
The Bears benched Bagent in favor of Keenum early in the fourth quarter Sunday. Each quarterback had led the Bears to victories in the past two weeks, but both performed poorly against the Packers.
Johnson remains confident in both Bagent and Keenum if they’re called upon again.
"We have three guys that can win games in this league," Johnson said.
Williams declined to speak with reporters following practice Friday after his return to the field. He was officially listed as limited in his work. The Bears designated Williams as questionable for the game Sunday, which allowed him to conduct a pregame workout on the field.
After the Bears’ loss to the Packers, Johnson noted "it will be close” as to whether Williams can play against the Falcons this upcoming Sunday.
The Falcons also have questions at quarterback. Starter Michael Penix Jr. suffered a ribs injury late in Atlanta’s loss to Baltimore on Sunday night. Backup Tua Tagovailoa stepped in to lead Atlanta's offense in Penix's place.
The Bears will issue their next injury report Wednesday. It should provide more clarity to the health status of Williams, linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring), cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (hamstring) and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo (quad). The latter three all exited the Bears’ loss to the Packers on Sunday due to injuries.
The Bears (3-2) and Falcons (2-3) will kick off at noon CT on Sunday from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Chris Emma covers the Bears and the Chicago sports scene for 104.3 The Score.
