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LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Caleb Williams said he was a bit “bruised up” right after Sunday’s 19-13 loss to the host Houston Texans. That hadn’t changed when the Bears quarterback took the podium on Wednesday afternoon, a few days after getting hit 11 times and sacked on seven occasions.

The rookie said his body felt good heading into a padded practice, the first workout preparing for Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. It will stay in better shape if he doesn’t hit the turf as often as he did in Houston.

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Part of that will be dealing with creative blitzes that’ll keep coming at the Bears until they can consistently negate them. While the offensive line is taking heat for 37 quarterback pressures, Williams believes that he can help prevent such a siege.

“No. 1: Communication. No. 2 is making adjustments faster throughout the game,” Williams said. (Click here for the full press conference). “There needs to be better communication between the coaches, the offensive line and myself, making sure that we’re on the same page and that we’re making adjustments when we need to in-game. You obviously have adjustments that you work in practice throughout the week, but the other team’s job to is to try to confuse you and throw different things at you with looks. Being able to adjust quickly, that’s the most important thing.”

It’s also about helping the Bears rookie quarterback out in those situations. Blitz pickup is the first and most obvious thing, but there’s more to it than that.

“We’ve just got to be on it. Know our calls, know our protection, know when we’re hot just to help Caleb out,” receiver DJ Moore said. “I know we’ve got to nip that in the butt because it’s a copycat league and other teams are going to try to bring the house at him.”

Williams didn’t like throwing two interceptions and vowed those mistakes wouldn’t happen again. He threw just 10 over 888 passes during two USC seasons, so picks are aberration and a source of frustration. Williams also lamented missing some deep shots to DJ Moore especially, including one that ended a late comeback attempt. There are also some pre-snap responsibilities, including cadences and communication, that he said can be cleaned up.

That said, Williams hasn’t been all bad.

While losses attract attention to mistakes and vulnerabilities, Williams got better in some areas that are worth being noted. He completed his first eight pass attempts and found good rhythm in the passing game until all that Texans pressure disrupted it. You can see the ability and the arm talent. There are signs within the last game that suggest he can put it all together soon with continued development.

“I think the rhythm in the pass game, getting the ball to receivers – I think I got better getting the ball out of my hands, it felt like, trying to stay in the right range of timing for the offensive linemen and myself and the routes and things like that,” Williams said. “I think those are the few spots that I have gotten better at.”

Williams also talked about getting in and out of the huddle cleaner in Week 2, but there are some issues with the offensive operation that need to get cleaned up. Williams focused on improvement in the run game as a priority, as well as using the tools the scheme gives him to make appropriate changes under duress.

The quarterback’s response to his first NFL loss and the pressure he has been under has been positive, as he and the Bears offense try to get right.

“I think he’s been great,” Moore said. “He hasn’t been vocally frustrated or anything. He’s been coming in and still learning. So, waiting to see how he bounces back this week.”

THREE BEARS NOMINATED FOR HOF

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 167 nominees for enshrinement in the class of 2025, a group that included three prominent former Bears. Offensive lineman Olin Kreutz, linebacker Lance Briggs and defensive back Peanut Tillman were honored as nominees. A screening committee will shorten the list to 50 next month, and then 25 semifinalists will be announced after that as the class continues to take shape.

INJURY UPDATE

WR Keenan Allen (heel) continues to miss practice, and head coach Matt Eberflus continues to say that rest is the best thing for it. The Bears want him back on the practice field but don’t want to rush things and suffer a setback. … LG Teven Jenkins missed practice on Wednesday with a deep thigh bruise, but the Bears are confident he’ll be okay. DT Zacch Pickens is back on the shelf with a nagging groin injury that got aggravated against the Texans.

Follow Bears Insider Scott Bair on X (@ScottBairNFL) and Instagram (@ScottBairNFL). Also, Bair Mail is coming! Join the conversation by submitting a mailbag question or comment to mailbag@marqueesportsnetwork.com for a chance to be included in this new content series.