Bears QB Caleb Williams reportedly avoided serious hamstring damage, leaving Week 3 status uncertain

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams appears to have dodged the worst after leaving Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings with a hamstring injury. According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, Williams “avoided any major injury to his hamstring,” though he has not yet been ruled out for Chicago’s Week 3 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.

The scare unfolded midway through the fourth quarter at Soldier Field, when Williams went down on a non-contact play following a short run. He remained on the turf in visible pain before being helped off and eventually carted to the locker room. Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent finished the drive, which stalled, and Chicago’s potential game-tying field goal was blocked moments later as Williams was being carted off. Williams gave a thumbs-up to the crowd as he left the field.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Williams was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury, and the team confirmed afterward that it was a hamstring issue. Monday afternoon’s report that no major damage was found represents the best realistic outcome for a Bears team that had opened the season with high expectations.

The injury was a frustrating end to an afternoon that had already tested Chicago’s offense. After Williams looked like an early MVP contender in Week 1 — a 59-point outburst against the Carolina Panthers — the combination of Chicago weather and a Brian Flores-coached Vikings defense made for a much harder assignment in Week 2.

The game aired nationally on Fox, part of the network’s Sunday NFL package. Fox Corporation (FOXA), which generates much of its sports revenue from NFL broadcast rights, saw shares trade at $65.08 on Monday, up 1.06% from the prior close of $64.40, giving the company a market capitalization of roughly $26.85 billion. The health of marquee quarterbacks like Williams carries real weight for broadcast partners, whose ratings depend heavily on star availability in premium national windows.

For the Bears, the immediate question is whether Williams can suit up for a marquee Monday night road game in Philadelphia, or whether Bagent would draw the start. The team has not announced a designation, and the coming days of practice reports should clarify his availability.

What to watch

• Williams’ practice participation Wednesday through Friday, the Bears’ first official injury reports of the week.
• Any team announcement on a Week 3 starter for Monday night’s game at Philadelphia.
• Further reporting on the MRI results and whether the Bears add a quarterback to the roster as insurance.

Source: original release