Chicago – Bears head coach Ben Johnson told listeners on ESPN 1000 that quarterback Caleb Williams’ hamstring injury will be a “week‑to‑week” situation. The 24‑year‑old suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain during a fourth‑quarter scramble in Sunday’s 9‑3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on the wet turf at Soldier Field.
Injury details and immediate response
Williams tumbled to his knees and rolled on the field before medical staff attended to him. He was escorted to the locker room on a cart, covered with a towel, and later lifted his arm in a celebratory gesture for the fans. The initial report confirmed a Grade 1 strain, which typically involves minor fiber damage and a relatively quick recovery.
Coach Johnson’s outlook
“He’s going to miss some time. I haven’t met with the trainers yet but will have the full lowdown,” Johnson said. “He does tend to recover from these things quickly.” Johnson emphasized that the team will monitor the situation closely and provide an update once the trainers have completed their evaluation.
Impact on upcoming game
The Bears are scheduled to host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. If Williams is unavailable, it would be the first time Johnson has been forced to start a backup quarterback as the offensive play‑caller. Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, who completed five of nine passes for 54 yards on Sunday, is prepared to step in. Bagent has thrown for 971 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions in 13 games over the past four seasons, with four starts as a rookie in 2023.
“He’s wired the right way. Having a full week of preparation can make all the difference in performance,” Johnson said of Bagent. “I said at the Combine, we view him as one of the top 32 NFL quarterbacks. The way he approaches it, his teammates are going to fight their tails off for him.”
Williams’ season to date
Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has started 36 consecutive games for Chicago. This season he has completed 65.5 % of his passes for 407 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, helping the Bears sit at a 1‑1 record.
What’s next for the Bears
The team will receive a medical update before Monday’s game. If Williams is cleared, he is expected to return to the field with the same poise that has defined his early career. If not, Bagent will receive his first start as the primary signal‑caller, a scenario Johnson believes the team is ready to handle.
Regardless of the outcome, the Bears’ coaching staff remains confident in the depth of the quarterback room and the resilience of the squad as they look ahead to a challenging schedule.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
