Packers-Bears Showdown on Sunday Gets Shocking New Twist

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams practiced in a limited capacity Friday for the first time in nearly three weeks, adding a late twist before Sunday’s NFC North game at the Green Bay Packers.

The Bears listed Williams as questionable for the Week 5 contest at Lambeau Field. He had been sidelined since leaving the team’s Sept. 20 loss to Minnesota with a right hamstring injury.

Head coach Ben Johnson signaled earlier in the week that the starter would sit out. On Monday, Johnson said Williams is “not going to be there for us this week” against Green Bay and that backup Tyson Bagent “will be the guy.”

Williams’ appearance at Friday’s session altered that picture. He stretched and jogged with the quarterbacks during the portion of practice open to reporters but did not take first-team snaps.

ESPN’s Courtney Cronin noted the development after video of the workout circulated.

“Here’s video of Caleb Williams back at practice Friday,” Cronin wrote. “On Monday, Ben Johnson said that Williams is ‘not going to be there for us this week’ against Green Bay and said Tyson Bagent ‘will be the guy.’ Now Williams is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Week 5 against the Packers.”

Williams suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on a scramble late in Chicago’s 9-3 defeat to the Vikings. The Bears have described the injury as week to week and have not placed him on injured reserve.

He missed the Week 3 win over Philadelphia, when Case Keenum started, and the Week 4 victory against the New York Jets. Chicago improved to 3-1 with those results.

Bagent started against the Jets and completed 25 of 34 passes for 268 yards and one interception. In two appearances this season he is 30 of 43 for 322 yards with no touchdowns and one interception, good for an 81.7 passer rating.

Williams has thrown for 407 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in 2026. He had started every regular-season and playoff game for the Bears since the team drafted him first overall in 2024 until the hamstring injury.

The Packers enter at 2-2 and will host the first meeting between the rivals this season. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT.

Johnson said Friday that Williams is following a progression that gradually increases his running and throwing. The coach called the return date to be determined.

Bagent is still expected to start even with the questionable tag on Williams. Chicago has scored 112 points and allowed 65 through four games.

A Grade 2 hamstring strain often keeps players out three to four weeks, though the Bears have projected a shorter absence. Their next game after Green Bay is at Atlanta on Oct. 18.