Caleb Williams Throws for 305 Yards in Return as Bears Beat Falcons 31-23
Caleb Williams threw for 305 yards and a touchdown in his return from a hamstring injury, leading Chicago to a 31-23 win over Atlanta on Sunday as Kyler Gordon recorded three sacks in his first game back.
Williams returns
Caleb Williams returned after missing three games with a right hamstring injury and threw for 305 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, leading the Chicago Bears to a 31-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta.
Williams, 24, completed his first 12 passes, including a rolling 14-yard touchdown strike to Colston Loveland that capped the opening drive. The Bears jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and stretched it to 31-7 before Atlanta’s late rally.
Williams finished with 305 passing yards. He ran four times for 3 yards and showed no obvious effects from the injury on roll-out passes, according to USA Today columnist Jarrett Bell.
The win moved Chicago to 4-2. Atlanta fell to 2-4.
Gordon’s three sacks
The Bears’ defense got a lift of its own. Nickelback Kyler Gordon, activated off the physically unable to perform list on Saturday after rehabbing a calf injury, recorded three sacks of Michael Penix Jr., including a strip sack late in the fourth quarter. Gordon added five quarterback pressures, according to Fox.
To make room for Gordon, Chicago released veteran safety Xavier Woods on Saturday.
Chicago’s defense also got a break in the second quarter when Falcons returner Zachariah Branch muffed a punt at Atlanta’s 10-yard line. Josh Blackwell recovered, and the Bears cashed in with D’Andre Swift’s second touchdown run to make it 21-7.
Falcons rally, injuries
Atlanta’s comeback fell short but had bright spots. Tight end Kyle Pitts caught two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and added a 29-yard catch, giving him three touchdowns in two games after scoring none in the first four.
The Falcons’ day also brought injury scares. Rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels was carted off in the third quarter, strapped to a long backboard, after a neck injury. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for further examination, with reports that he had movement in all of his extremities. Inside linebacker Divine Deablo left in the second quarter with an arm injury and did not return.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium also saw another Bears fan takeover, with thousands of visiting supporters in the stands, including many wearing No. 34 jerseys honoring Walter Payton.
Reporting based on coverage by USA Today.
