Caleb Williams Practices, Questionable vs Packers

Caleb Williams was back on the practice field Friday for the first time since he pulled his hamstring in Week 2. The Bears quarterback was limited and is officially questionable for Sunday's game at Green Bay, but Tyson Bagent is still expected to start, the Chicago Sun-Times and PFT reported.

That is a real step. Williams suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in the loss to the Vikings, an injury with a three to four week recovery window per ESPN's reporting at the time. Sunday will be his third straight missed game, but the clock on his return finally looks short.

What Ben Johnson said

Johnson called the return date "to be determined," but he liked what he is seeing.

"He's right on track," Johnson said, per ESPN via TSN. "We've got him throwing a little bit the other day and we've got a progression set up for what that looks like."

Johnson added that Williams has been steadily increasing his running work with the trainers, and the staff is getting a throwing session in every couple of days to make sure there are no setbacks. Williams threw to teammates after Wednesday's practice, and on Friday he stretched and jogged with the other quarterbacks during the portion open to media, per the Sun-Times. PFT noted a limited Friday bodes well for Week 6 in Atlanta.

Bagent keeps the job for Lambeau

Johnson already named Bagent the starter for the rivalry game on Monday. The Bears have kept winning without Williams, with Case Keenum and Bagent picking up wins over the Eagles and Jets. Bagent went 25 of 34 for 268 yards in last week's 23-12 win over the Jets, a game where Chicago held the ball for 42:45, per ESPN.

The run game takes a hit, though. Kyle Monangai, coming off a career-high 30 carries against the Jets, was ruled out with thumb and toe injuries, with Johnson saying the turf toe is a "bigger deal" than first thought. D'Andre Swift should get the bulk of the work. Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (quad) is out, while Kyler Gordon, Noah Sewell and Shemar Turner are questionable as they work back from the PUP list.

The bottom line

Nobody in Chicago needs Caleb rushed back for one game. If Bagent and Swift can go into Lambeau and keep this run going, the Bears get their franchise quarterback back healthy with a winning streak waiting for him. That is the dream scenario, and it starts with beating Green Bay.