Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and other healthy starters will play in Saturday’s game against the Bills in Buffalo.
Coach Matt Eberflus made the announcement Thursday after practice at Halas Hall, but did not give the number of snaps they would play. He said they would be in “a range of plays.” Bills coach Sean McDermott told reporters that his starters, including quarterback Josh Allen, would play about a quarter.
Last week, Eberflus kept Williams and other Bears starters out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, which was held a week earlier than the rest of the league’s preseason openers. So this will be the first NFL preseason game for Williams, the No. 1 pick in the draft this spring.
“He’s been getting a lot of good reps with our (No.) 1 defense, so I think it will feel similar to him,” Eberflus said. “But I really feel that when it’s live there in the pocket, (we want to see him) be able to maneuver in the pocket, ride the pocket, escape on the outside, B-gaps, be able to deliver the ball and keep your eyes downfield. And really just the operation of it, getting in and out of the huddle, no pre-snap penalties, just clean operation.”
Williams’ participation in the Bills game was mainly in question because the Bears have been banged up on the offensive line, and they want to be sure they can protect the rookie properly.
Right guard Nate Davis has been in and out of practices as he recovers from a groin injury. Eberflus said Thursday that Davis suffered a setback and is considered “week to week.” Right tackle Darnell Wright has missed recent time, but he participated in some team periods Wednesday and Thursday.