Caleb Williams and Bears offense upbeat over return of Keenan Allen to practice

Published Sep. 25, 2024 3:35 p.m. ET

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LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams feels he took a big step forward in last week’s 21-16 loss at Indianapolis to the Colts.

It’s possible he’ll have a greater opportunity to advance the passing game Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams at home because he could be operating with a full wide receiver group again.

Keenan Allen returned to Bears practice Wednesday on a limited basis and could play for the first time since the opener.

“I mean to have a guy obviously as we know, Keenan Allen back, it’s gonna be great for our offense,” Williams said. “It’s just something else that the defense has to worry about throughout this week (of practice) and then obviously on game day.

“And so it’s gonna be great for us. His special talent of getting open in a phone booth is gonna be great for us.”

Allen was able to do more than he has since going out with an injury late in the 24-17 win over Tennessee on Sept. 8.

Wide receiver DJ Moore views it as a way to force defenses to play the Bears receivers differently than when he and rookie receiver Rome Odunze were the main options for Williams.

“You got three that you’ve got to worry about and you can’t just shade it to one side or to one person,” Moore said. “With Keenan back in the mix, you’ve got to play the whole field.”

Without him, Williams made strides anyway. He threw for a Bears rookie record of 363 yards last week, completing 33 of 52 with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Odunze had his first 100-yard game with six catches for 112 yards and a TD. Moore had eight catches for 78 yards and tight end Cole Kmet 10 receptions for 97 yards.

It’s still not coming along fast enough to suit Williams but he has seen things he likes while reviewing game film.

“The positivity that we have and the growth, the slow growth that we’re having — yes we do need to get it going a little bit more efficiently than we are — but the growth and positivity that we have within the film that we’ve seen and things like that over these past couple of weeks,” Williams said.

One issue for Williams has been changing plays made by offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Late in the second quarter last week on fourth-and-goal from the 1, Williams didn’t change an option pitchout not well-suited to the defense Indianapolis showed. It resulted in a 12-yard loss by D’Andre Swift.

“I wouldn’t say it’s uncomfortable,” Williams said. “He has to call plays. And I have to go out there and execute. We have alerts that I can change, route concepts that I can change, depending on whatever the case may be.

“But he does have to call ‘em, and I also have to go out there and execute. So (it's) to be able to go out there and make decisions in split-seconds, hesitation and not being indecisive.”

Even with all of Williams’ receivers back, Bears coach Matt Eberflus sees a need for more growth by his QB and development within the offense.

“It’s a work in progress,” Eberflus said. “It’s not totally all the way there after the three games but it’s getting better. I do think that last week was way improved in terms of the whole operation, in terms of protection, in terms of in and out of the huddle, all the things that go along with basic operation.

“That’s improved and he’s gonna continue to improve. We’re working through that and we want to see some big improvement this week, too.”

NOTES: Right tackle Darnell Wright missed Wednesday's practice with a back injury. ... Defensive end Darrell Taylor was away from practice because of an illness and cornerback Terell Smith missed practice with a hip injury.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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