The Bears got a reinforcement for their backfield on Saturday, with Chicago activating Damien Williams from the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of their Week 7 matchup with the Buccaneers. With starting running back David Montgomery on injured reserve, Williams had been filling in as Chicago's top ball-carrier before landing on the COVID list just days in advance of the club's Week 6 game against the Packers. Now, after 10 days on the list, Williams is set to suit up against Tampa Bay in tandem with rookie Khalil Herbert.
Signed this offseason after two years with the Chiefs, Williams fared well in relief of Montgomery against the Lions and Raiders, totaling 119 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. Without him last week, the Bears got basically even production from Herbert, a sixth-round pick this year, who went for 97 yards and a score on 19 carries. And since Williams was absent from practice for more than a week, Herbert figures to open Sunday's matchup with Tampa Bay as the official RB1.
Chicago is still battling other COVID concerns, however. As the Chicago Sun-Times noted Saturday, two other players have since tested positive for COVID-19, with tight end Jimmy Graham and pass rusher Robert Quinn landing on the list. Wide receivers coach Mike Furrey, meanwhile, tested positive last week but returned to Bears practice Thursday after passing COVID protocol.
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