The Chicago Bears are planning to start Williams against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday after the quarterback missed the previous three games with a torn hamstring, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Williams went through a full week of practice without experiencing any setbacks, clearing the way for the former No. 1 overall pick to return to Chicago's starting lineup. The third-year quarterback suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Chicago's Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Williams went down without contact while scrambling near the goal line and was eventually carted to the locker room. He later revealed that he had torn his right hamstring. Williams made significant progress this week after returning to practice and told reporters Thursday that he felt capable of running and moving like he did before the injury.
However, he still needed to make it through the team's final tests before receiving clearance to return. Chicago listed Williams as questionable on Friday, but the quarterback was a full participant in practice throughout the week. His return comes at an important point for a Bears team that managed to stay afloat without its starting quarterback.
Chicago went 2-1 during Williams' three-game absence and enters Sunday's matchup with a 3-2 record. Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum both received opportunities at quarterback while Williams recovered. Before the injury, Williams had completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 407 yards, two touchdowns and one interception through two games.
He also remained a threat with his legs, scoring twice on the ground. Now the Bears get their starting quarterback back as they attempt to remain in the NFC North race. Williams' return does not guarantee Chicago's offense will immediately find its rhythm after nearly a month away, but it gives the Bears back the player around whom their offense is built.
Chicago proved over the last three weeks that it could survive without Williams. Beginning Sunday in Atlanta, the Bears can start finding out how far they can go with him back.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
