Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was a full participant in practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons in Atlanta.
The third-year pro has missed the last three contests with a right hamstring injury he suffered in Week 2 versus the Vikings. Williams said Thursday that he would have to pass a stress test — consisting of a series of movements that test his hamstring on the practice field — before being named the starter against the Falcons.
"I'm hopeful we'll have more clarity at the end of the day today," coach Ben Johnson said Friday before practice. "He looked good yesterday for one practice, but we've got to be able to stack a few back-to-back. He got some good work in on Wednesday, even though we walked through. He went through his own throwing session beforehand — part of the plan — and he's on track right now."
Williams told reporters Thursday that "the other day" he was timed at "one of my high speeds I've ever hit, and so I can move, I can run, I've got strength."
"It probably is a little bit different intensity [in a game]," Johnson said, "and yet that's what we're trying to work through here over the course of the week is just getting him up to those high speeds and making sure that we don't have any effects that continue to linger on. Once again, we're right on track with the plan and we'll see what it looks like, see how he feels.
"Confidence is a big part of it as well, but I know he wants to play. He's a competitor. It's been not fun for him the last few weeks watching from the sideline, just like any guy that loves football. It's been a tough deal for him. I know he's itching to get back out there and help us win ball games. If we feel really good as a front office, a coaching staff and player himself about playing, then we'll go ahead and go with it."
If Williams cannot play Sunday, Johnson declined to disclose whether Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum would be the Bears' starting quarterback.
"We have two guys that are equally qualified," Johnson said.
Like Williams, cornerback Kyler Gordon was a full participant in practice all week and is questionable for Sunday's game. The Bears have until next week to activate Gordon from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, where he has been since before training camp began due to a calf injury.
"He's done a great job taking everything that we've assigned him so far," Johnson said. "I do feel good about him [playing], whether that's this week or next week. I do feel good about him being able to contribute to this team and help us out, and there's a number of ways he can do that. But I'm encouraged with what I've seen so far."
Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is also questionable with a hip injury he sustained last weekend against the Packers that limited him in practice all week.
Bears players who have been ruled out of Sunday's contest are running back Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe), defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo (quadriceps) and linebackers T.J. Edwards (hamstring) and Keyshaun Elliott (quadriceps).
Monangai will miss his second straight game.
"It wasn't one of those things we felt like we needed to put him on IR," Johnson said. "It's still week-to-week, and as far as I know, he's trending in the right direction."
The Bears will be missing their two starting defensive ends in Odeyingbo and Montez Sweat, who is suspended by the NFL for the next two games.
Defensive lineman Shemar Turner, a 2025 second-round pick, was activated Tuesday from the PUP list and could play for the first time since tearing his ACL in Week 8 of last season against the Ravens.
"What showed up in his college tape was the violence with which he played," Johnson said. "He's got an aggressive demeanor about him. Despite the injuries that have held him back, training camp last year, ACL, all these things, hopeful that that part comes out. He's very similar to a lot of these guys that we're bringing in. They love football, and so being out there on the grass competing, that's really where they come to life the most. So, I'm excited to see him go out there and compete."
Without Edwards, the Bears will be without the individual who relays play calls from the coaching staff to the rest of the huddle.
"What you feel from T.J., certainly during practice and then during games, is just the communication aspect," Johnson said. "Everyone's going to know exactly what's going on, where to line up. He's going to be quick and decisive with the calls, and he never panics. And so, when you have a new voice, that's where it takes a second for the unit to understand and get the rhythm.
"We've been facing that on offense the last few weeks with different quarterbacks in the huddle and cadence. It's no different for the 'green dot' there on defense, maybe not to the same extent. And yet, there's that level of poise and communication aspect that goes a long way. A lot of plays are won before the snap even happens, and that's what I think those green dots help bring to the table. And so you miss a guy like T.J. He's been a Steady Eddie, and he's played really dependable football, really through his tenure here. But it gives an opportunity for other guys to step up and make an impact themselves. Good thing we have some depth in that linebacker room. We have a lot of guys that have played a lot of ball at a high level and won meaningful games for us."
Offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo, meanwhile, continues to make strides as he rebounds from a knee injury he suffered in last season's wild card playoff win over Green Bay. Johnson revealed that "there's a chance" that Trapilo is active Sunday for the first time this season. He was initially expected to miss all or most of the year but returned to practice Aug. 16, much earlier than anticipated.
