Caleb Williams Hamstring Injury: Bears QB Carted Off After Injury Against Vikings
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams left Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings after suffering a right hamstring injury.
Williams was injured during the fourth quarter of Chicago’s 9-3 loss at Soldier Field. The injury happened on a non-contact play while he was scrambling near the Vikings’ goal line.
The Bears quarterback went down awkwardly and immediately appeared to be in pain. He tried to get back to his feet but needed help from members of the medical staff.
Caleb Williams Leaves Game On A Cart
Williams’ injury occurred with about 7½ minutes remaining in the game.
He had taken off on a scramble toward the left side of the field when his right leg appeared to give way. Williams fell to the ground and remained there as medical personnel came onto the field.
The quarterback was eventually helped toward the sideline before being taken to the locker room on a cart.
Williams had a towel over his head while on the cart. He later removed it and raised his right arm toward the crowd at Soldier Field.
The Bears officially ruled him out with a hamstring injury.
Bears Coach Provides Injury Update
Bears coach Ben Johnson said after the game that the injury did not appear to involve Williams’ knee.
Johnson said his first concern was the quarterback’s knee, but he was relieved that the initial diagnosis pointed to the hamstring instead.
At the same time, Johnson stressed that a hamstring injury can still be serious.
“We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow,” Johnson said after the game.
Williams is expected to undergo imaging on Monday. The results should provide more information about the severity of the injury and his potential recovery timeline.
Johnson also said he spoke with Williams after the game and that the quarterback was in good spirits. A report from NFL.com said Williams was later seen walking under his own power without crutches.
Tyson Bagent Takes Over At Quarterback
Tyson Bagent replaced Williams after the injury.
The Bears were trailing 6-3 when Williams left the game. Bagent helped move Chicago into scoring range, but the drive ended when Cairo Santos had a 23-yard field-goal attempt blocked by Minnesota’s Isaiah Rodgers.
Bagent later led another late drive that reached the Vikings’ red zone. However, Dallas Turner sacked him on the final play, ending Chicago’s opportunity to tie the game.
Bagent finished with 5 completions on 9 attempts for 54 yards.
Williams Had A Quiet Afternoon Before Injury
Williams completed 15 of 26 passes for 138 yards and one interception before leaving the game.
He also carried the ball five times for 42 yards.
The performance came one week after Williams helped Chicago score 59 points in a season-opening victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Against Carolina, Williams threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns while adding two rushing touchdowns.
The Bears therefore entered Sunday’s game with high expectations, but the Vikings defense kept the offense under pressure throughout the afternoon.
Bears Await More Information
The Bears will now wait for the results of Williams’ medical testing before determining the next step.
The quarterback has made 36 consecutive starts since Chicago selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
For now, the Bears have not announced a timetable for his return.
Chicago will likely provide another update after Williams undergoes imaging. Until then, the severity of the hamstring injury remains uncertain.
The Bears’ next game will also bring greater attention to the quarterback position as the team waits to learn whether Williams will be available.
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