QB Caleb Williams expected to start Sunday for the Chicago Bears, per report

The Chicago Bears had hoped all week that Caleb Williams would be available to play Sunday, and that’s going to happen.

The quarterback will return to start against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after missing three games with a right hamstring injury.

Coach Ben Johnson was upbeat about the possibility Williams would return this week, and ESPN reported Saturday afternoon that he got the green light.

“He looked good (Thursday) for one practice but we’ve got to be able to stack a few back to back,” Johnson said before practice Friday. “Part of the plan, and he’s on track right now.”

The Bears are 2-1 without Williams, but the downfield passing game struggled in his absence whether it was Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum playing in his place. The Bears were blown out 31-7 on Sunday in Green Bay when the offense committed five turnovers against the Packers.

Williams, who was injured in the 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2, first returned to practice Oct. 9 when he was limited. The injury snapped a streak of 36 consecutive regular-season games with a start.

Coming off the Packers loss and bracing for two games in a short stretch — they play the New England Patriots in Week 7 on Thursday night at Soldier Field — the Bears held a walk-through Wednesday. But Williams had a throwing session on his own that day and then was listed as a full participant Thursday and Friday. At the end of the week, the team wanted to put him through some stress tests to ensure he was ready.

“I trust myself,” Williams said after Thursday’s practice. “I trust my body. I trust my guys. And so, if I’m out there, it’s full trust. If I’m not out there, I need a little more time.”

Williams will be out there.