Sports · American Football · 5 hrs ago
Bears and Falcons meet with both starting quarterbacks back
The Chicago Bears visit the Atlanta Falcons in a Week 6 NFL game in Atlanta.
Both starting quarterbacks are set to play: Caleb Williams returns after missing three games with a hamstring injury, and Michael Penix Jr. will play despite a rib injury.
The matchup brings together the NFL’s top two rushing attacks: Chicago averages 173.2 yards on the ground per game, and Atlanta averages 166.8.
The Bears have struggled to turn red-zone visits into touchdowns, scoring on 42.9% of those possessions, the lowest rate in the league.
Atlanta cornerback C.J. Henderson is out with a groin injury, adding pressure on the Falcons’ secondary after starter A.J. Terrell went on injured reserve.
Falcons defensive end Za'Darius Smith, who had been questionable with a neck injury, was cleared after warmups and will play.
The Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons meet in Atlanta in Week 6 with both starting quarterbacks expected to play.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams returns after missing three games with a hamstring injury.
Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will play despite injuring his ribs against the Baltimore Ravens.
The teams have the NFL’s top two rushing attacks, with Chicago averaging 173.2 yards per game and Atlanta 166.8.
Atlanta cornerback C.J. Henderson is out after injuring his groin against Baltimore.
- Who
- The Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons, including quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Michael Penix Jr.
- What
- The teams meet in a Week 6 NFL game with both starting quarterbacks back in the lineup.
- When
- Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET.
- Where
- Atlanta.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Caleb Williams sustained a hamstring injury against the Vikings.
Michael Penix Jr. injured his ribs against the Ravens, and Atlanta lost the game in overtime.
The Bears’ preview said Williams was questionable after missing the previous three games.
Atlanta announced that Williams and Penix would both play against the Bears.
- Bears rushing average
- 173.2 yards per game, first in the NFL
- Falcons rushing average
- 166.8 yards per game, second in the NFL
- Bears red-zone touchdown rate
- 42.9%, last in the NFL
- Falcons record
- 2-3
- C.J. Henderson
- Ruled out with a groin injury
3 sources
What people are saying
They did a good job with some of their downhill schemes.
Baltimore is talented in terms of their run game. Big, physical group, big, physical running back … They committed to it. They had a lot of success with it.