Williams is back. The pass rush still isn't.

Caleb Williams returned to full practice, which is the good news heading into the Falcons game. The bad news is the same as it's been all week: Montez Sweat is still serving his suspension, Dayo Odeyingbo remains doubtful, and the defensive end position goes into this one essentially unmanned. Williams putting in a full practice session matters — he finished last season with 4,560 yards and 31 touchdowns, and getting him back under center stabilizes the offense considerably. But the Bears' margin in close games has never been wide, and asking that offense to outscore a problem the defense can't contain is a familiar and uncomfortable spot.

The secondary isn't helping. T.J. Edwards is doubtful, Tyrique Stevenson is questionable, and Keyshaun Elliott is questionable as well. That's a lot of uncertainty stacked on a unit that was already thin before the season started. The Bears have been cycling through defensive backs since August, and the depth hasn't gotten deeper — it's just gotten more familiar with the injury report.

Williams being healthy is real. It's not nothing. But the Falcons game will be decided by whether Chicago can generate any defensive pressure without its only reliable pass rusher, and right now the answer to that question hasn't changed.