2 Chicago Bears on PUP list return to practice — but not Kyler Gordon — while Case Keenum gets QB1 reps

The major news for the Chicago Bears on Wednesday is who isn't on the practice field — backup quarterback Tyson Bagent — but two players will practice for the first time this season.

The Bears opened the 21-day return-to-practice window for defensive end Shemar Turner and linebacker Noah Sewell to return from the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. That means they will be on the practice field for the first time since being injured last season.

Case Keenum will be the No. 1 quarterback during practice as starter Caleb Williams (hamstring) and Bagent (concussion) will not participate when the Bears begin preparing for Monday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field. Coach Ben Johnson said Williams was present for the morning walk-through but Bagent is not at Halas Hall as part of the NFL's concussion protocol.

"We're at a point right now, not sure who the starter is going to be on Monday night," Johnson said before practice. "We'll let this thing play out and we'll go from there.

"One of those things that everyone outside the building I am sure is writing us off and telling us it can't be done, and we really relish that. So guys will step up to the plate, guys that maybe we don't anticipate or expect."

Johnson had said Monday that he didn't anticipate Williams practicing this week, but he stopped short of ruling him out for the Week 3 game. Bagent has to be cleared from the concussion protocol before he's an option.

Defensive reinforcements could be available soon, provided Turner and Sewell respond well. The soonest players who began the season on the PUP list can return to the 53-man roster is Week 5.

The Bears did not open the practice window for nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon , who has been sidelined all year with a calf injury. Gordon has been away from the team while rehabilitating, and although social media videos have surfaced of him working out, Johnson didn't have any details to share about his status.

Asked if there have been encouraging signs for Gordon in recent weeks, Johnson replied, "I've got nothing to add there."

Turner, a second-round draft pick last year, has been recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the Week 8 loss in Baltimore last season. The Bears initially used him on the interior before sliding him outside to defensive end, where they believe he can be strong against the run.

Turner and Dominique Robinson combined for a huge tackle of Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty for a 3-yard loss inside the red zone midway through the fourth quarter of the Week 4 game last season. The Raiders were forced to kick a field goal, keeping it a one-score game, and the Bears eventually won on D'Andre Swift's 2-yard touchdown run followed by Josh Blackwell 's blocked field goal.

Sewell suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the Week 17 loss at San Francisco . He played in 13 games with nine starts last year and had 59 tackles, one forced fumble and three tackles for a loss while also being a core contributor on special teams. How he would fit in on defense when he's on the 53-man roster remains to be seen. D'Marco Jackson has served as the third linebacker in the base package through two games.

The Bears could have some moving parts in the secondary Monday. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is week to week with a hamstring injury. That could lead them to move rookie Malik Muhammad II outside with veteran Cam Lewis assuming Muhammad's duties in the slot.