The first-round draft pick who was projected as an opening day starter, but he suffered a back injury on the second day of training camp that eventually required surgery and kept him off the practice field until three weeks ago.

"It's hard to say, because I've never played a pro football game," Williams said. "No preseason, no regular season. I'm fresh out of college for the most part. It's hard to say if I could jump in, so that's where good coaching comes in. They'll know when I'm ready, and I'll know when I'm ready, and that's when I'll be in there.

"There's a zillion reps that I've got to make up, so that's what I'm working on every day."

Williams wasn't sure he could contribute after the off week.

"I feel like I'm available to play," he said, "but we'll see."

PLAYER NOTES

--TE Greg Olsen has four receptions of 20 yards or longer and is averaging 13.5 yards per catch.

--RB Matt Forte had just two catches for 17 yards last week, the first game this season he hasn't had at least three catches.

--WR Brandon Lloyd, who hasn't played in three weeks because of a sprained knee, still leads the Bears with six receptions of 20 yards or longer and is tied with Marty Booker for the team lead in yards per catch with 16.6. Lloyd is expected back after the upcoming off week.

--DE Mark Anderson, who had 12 sacks as a rookie in 2006 and five last year, has none so far in 2008. He also has just nine tackles

--DE Alex Brown has either a tackle for loss or a sack in six of seven games this season.

INJURY IMPACT: CB Charles Tillman (left shoulder), S Danieal Manning (hamstring) DT Tommie Harris (knee), WR Devin Hester (quad) and TE Desmond Clark (knee) did not practice Wednesday. All are expected back after the bye.