Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles feels rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is “right where he should be and continuing to get better.”
To be sure, Williams has helped Chicago to two straight wins entering Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, although Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen offers an assessment of his own.
“You like to play against rookie quarterbacks,” Hines-Allen said. “A lot of them want to make the big plays. So, they tend to hold on to the ball a little more.”
Chicago (3-2) will look to keep Williams rolling — and upright — against a Jaguars team that stopped a season-opening four-game losing streak with a 37-34 home victory against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5.
Jacksonville (1-4) became the last team in the NFL to earn a victory this season behind a career-best 371 passing yards from quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence, like Williams a former No. 1 overall draft pick, was 28 for 34 through the air with two touchdowns and an interception.
Brian Thomas Jr. caught five passes for 122 yards and a score while Tank Bigsby rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Jaguars to a season-high 497 yards of offense.
“I thought we’ve done a good job how we diversify the ball,” Jacksonville receiver Christian Kirk said.
Running back Travis Etienne agreed, adding that the run game is “going to help continue to elevate our offense.”
The possible return of tight end Evan Engram (hamstring), who was limited in practice Wednesday, could also offer a boost. Etienne (shoulder), wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee), cornerbck Tyson Campbell (hamstring), safeties Darnell Savage (quad) and Daniel Thomas (hamstring), and linebackers Devin Lloyd (knee) and Yasir Abdullah (neck) were also limited at practice.
Williams surpassed 300 yards passing for the second time as the Bears routed the visiting Carolina Panthers 36-10 last Sunday. Williams was 20-for-29 passing for 304 yards and a pair of touchdowns to DJ Moore, who had 105 yards on five catches against his former team.
Poles lauded Williams’ resiliency and ability to adjust to what the game gives him.
“The human side of it is you want your guy to just take off and roll, but everyone’s journey is gonna be different,” Poles said. “I think the important thing is for Caleb to understand that as well and run his own race, and he’s done that well in terms of just focusing on how can I get better, how can I put our team in a position to win games.”
Offseason acquisition D’Andre Swift has offered a steady hand to the attack of late. In each of the past two games, Swift has gained at least 120 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown.
The Bears will be without safety Jaquan Brisker, who didn’t travel with the team as he experiences concussion-like symptoms stemming from a second-quarter collision with Carolina tight end Tommy Tremble. The play didn’t force Brisker from the game.
Elijah Hicks will replace Brisker in the lineup, Chicago coach Matt Eberflus said.
On injured reserve since Aug. 27 with a toe injury, Bears defensive end Jacob Martin returned to practice Wednesday, opening a 21-day window to reinstate him on the active roster. Defensive lineman Zacch Pickens (groin) and cornerback Terell Smith (hip) did not travel with the team, while cornerback Kyler Gordon (heel) and left guard Teven Jenkins (ankle) were limited at practice.
Chicago leads the all-time series 5-3 and rolled to a 41-7 road victory in 2020 in the most recent meeting.
The Bears are 1-1 in London games. Jacksonville, which is 6-5 in the British capital, will remain there to face the New England Patriots in Week 7.