Bears QB Caleb Williams returns to practice for the 1st time since his hamstring injury

Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune on Oct 9, 2026

Published in Football

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CHICAGO — Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams returned to practice Friday for the first time since suffering a right hamstring injury during a Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Williams, who sat out the last two games, was a limited participant, and Friday’s final injury report for Week 5 listed him as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

“He’s right on track” in his recovery, Bears coach Ben Johnson said before Friday’s practice at Halas Hall. “We’ve got him throwing a little bit the other day and we’ve got a progression set up for what that looks like. So, to be determined how long it’s going to be.”

Teammates said it was a lift to see him back on the field.

“It means a lot seeing him back out there,” running back Roschon Johnson said. “Back vibing with the team, back being himself. We’re more than excited to have him around, as always.”

Added long snapper Scott Daly: “Caleb is one of the hardest workers in this building. I know that he’s been attacking his rehab, and whenever he’s back, whenever that is, I know we’re going to be fired up to have him.

“But I know that Tyson (Bagent) and Case (Keenum) have stepped up big for us, and we know we’re expecting big things from Tyson as well this week.”

Williams has missed eight practices since suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain Sept. 20 during the 9-3 loss to the Vikings. He scrambled left but pulled up untouched and crumpled to the ground at Soldier Field. He was carted off the field, and Bagent took over in relief.

But Bagent suffered a concussion during that game, and in Week 3, third-stringer Keenum led an impressive 27-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Bagent returned in Week 4 against the New York Jets and posted a career-high 73.5% completion percentage en route to a 23-12 victory.

On Monday, Ben Johnson named Bagent the starter against the Packers.

“We came in together, same (2023) draft class,” Roschon Johnson said of Bagent. “We’re been here from the jump, so we’re more than comfortable and acquainted with one another and we’ll go out there and put our best foot forward.”

Coaches have said that Williams has handled his absence well after never missing a start through his first 36 games. “In terms of mental engagement, we’re very happy with where he is,” offensive coordinator Press Taylor said Thursday.

Physically, Williams has been following a conservative plan trainers have laid out for his recovery, Johnson said Friday.

“We’ve got him progressively increasing the amount of running that’s going on, and of course the throwing aspect of it is a big part of his position as well,” he said. “Our guys have a good plan in place, and we’re just going step by step with that right now, and every couple of days we’re getting a throwing protocol in and making sure there are no setbacks. So far, so good.”