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Friday update, October 9: Caleb Williams returned to limited practice and is questionable for Sunday’s game at Green Bay. Tyson Bagent remains the announced starter.
Clarification: The October 5 account below described Williams as out for a third game. Friday’s questionable designation supersedes that wording.
Original October 5 report
Tyson Bagent will start at quarterback for the Chicago Bears against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, October 11. Coach Ben Johnson confirmed the decision on Monday, October 5. Caleb Williams will miss a third consecutive game with a right hamstring strain.
The decision keeps Bagent in the lineup after he led Chicago to a 23–12 win over the New York Jets in Week 4, passing for 268 yards. Johnson made it plain that Bagent was his choice for the week, so the Bears will not rotate quarterbacks during their preparation for Green Bay.
Two backups, two wins
Williams was hurt in the Bears’ September 20 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and has not practiced since. Case Keenum started the following week and helped Chicago beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Johnson then turned to Bagent for the Jets game, and the Bears improved to 3–1.
Chicago has won both games without its starter, so the Bears go into a division game with momentum despite the injury. Bagent’s second straight start also gives the offense a week of practice built around one quarterback.
A rivalry game with a new kickoff
The league had already moved the Week 5 game at Lambeau Field to an earlier Sunday kickoff. That change came before the Bears confirmed that Williams would miss the game. Full details, including kickoff time and team form, are in the Bears–Packers Game Center.
Green Bay comes in after a 17–14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For Chicago, it is the first chance to show whether its run without Williams can hold up against a division opponent on the road.
The announcement covers only Week 5. Williams’ return date is still open, and Chicago plays the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6. Whether he can practice in any form this week will be the first sign of how close he is. The Bears team page and the NFL injury report will reflect his status as the week goes on.
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