Caleb Williams Avoids Major Injury
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams avoided a major hamstring injury in Sunday’s 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, according to Tom Pelissero. The Bears are not ruling him out for Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The injury happened midway through the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Williams scrambled to his left on first-and-goal from the Minnesota 6-yard line. He slid to the ground in obvious pain without being touched. He grabbed at his right leg and was carted to the locker room.
Before he left, Williams completed 15 of 26 passes for 138 yards with one interception. He also ran five times for 42 yards. The Bears did not score a touchdown. Tyson Bagent replaced him and completed four passes for 53 yards on the final drive. It ended when Vikings defender Dallas Turner sacked Bagent on fourth down in the red zone.
Head coach Ben Johnson said after the game that his first concern was Williams’ knee. He expressed relief that the injury involved the hamstring. Reports Sunday night said they hoped for a Grade 1 strain, the lowest severity level. Those reports came from unnamed sources. An MRI was scheduled for Monday to determine the severity.
On Monday, Tom Pelissero reported Caleb Williams did not suffer a major hamstring injury. He also reported that the team is not ruling him out for Week 3. The Bears have not announced a timetable for his return. Williams has no official practice designation yet, since the weekly injury report has not been released.
The loss dropped Chicago to 1-1. The Bears opened the season with a 59-37 win at Carolina on Sept. 13. The offense produced 552 total yards in that game. Against Minnesota, the offense could not find the end zone.
The next confirmed opponent is the Eagles on Monday Night Football, Sept. 28, at Soldier Field.
