Caleb Williams avoids injury disaster, new tests show in shocking update
Chicago quarterback is considered week-to-week after testing delivered much better news than initially feared
What initially looked like a potentially devastating injury for Caleb Williams has turned into a much more manageable problem for the Chicago Bears .
Williams was carted from the field late in Sunday’s 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings after suffering a non-contact injury to his right leg, a sequence that immediately raised fears of significant knee or Achilles damage.
Those concerns eased considerably Monday. Further testing reportedly showed that Williams avoided a major injury and instead suffered a hamstring issue.
The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reported that the prognosis was favorable enough that Chicago hasn't completely ruled him out for Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles .
Bears coach Ben Johnson was more cautious when addressing Williams’ timetable.
“It sounds like it’s gonna be a week-to-week deal,” Johnson said Monday. “Will likely miss time.”
That may not sound overly optimistic on the surface, but compared with the scenes at Soldier Field less than a day earlier, it represents a significant relief.
Injury looked far worse in real time
Williams went down midway through the fourth quarter while scrambling toward the end zone with Chicago trailing 6-3. He took an extended stride to avoid a defender before pulling up without contact and immediately falling to the turf.
Williams screamed in pain, struggled to put weight on his right leg and eventually had to be helped off before being carted to the locker room. He initially covered his head with a towel while leaving the field.
The moment was especially alarming because non-contact injuries often trigger immediate concern about major ligament damage. That doesn't appear to be the case here.
Williams has dealt with hamstring trouble before, suffering a similar injury while at USC in December 2022. That issue affected his left leg, while Sunday’s injury was to his right hamstring.
Bears now face Week 3 decision
Chicago ’s next game comes against Philadelphia on Monday Night Football, giving Williams an extra day to recover.
The Bears are unlikely to take unnecessary risks with their franchise quarterback, particularly with hamstring injuries carrying a real danger of aggravation if a player returns too quickly.
Tyson Bagent would be the likely starter if Williams cannot play. Bagent finished Sunday’s game after Williams exited and has previous starting experience from before Williams became Chicago’s full-time quarterback.
Williams completed 15 of 26 passes for 138 yards with no touchdowns and one interception against Minnesota after opening the season with a far more explosive offensive performance.
The Bears will now monitor his progress throughout the week before making a final decision. The best news, however, has already arrived.
What looked like a potentially season-altering injury on Sunday night now appears to be something Chicago can manage rather than a disaster that changes the course of its year.
