ESPN Exclusive on Caleb Williams

The Chicago Bears will have to play without Caleb Williams in their next game, and his absence could last longer than expected.

According to reports from ESPN and the NFL Network, the young quarterback is suffering from a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Medical experts consulted on the matter estimate that such an injury typically requires three to four weeks of recovery.

However, this timeframe is an estimate and not an official return date. The Bears are still evaluating Williams' condition on a week-to-week basis, and the organization hasn't ruled out the possibility that he could return sooner.

Head Coach Ben Johnson had also hinted that the test results were quite encouraging. He also pointed out that Williams had previously demonstrated an ability to recover quickly.

The quarterback suffered the injury without contact during the fourth quarter of a 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He had to leave the field due to severe pain.

The situation is particularly notable because Williams had previously suffered an injury to the same hamstring while playing in college. According to reports, some of the pain he is experiencing may be related to scar tissue from that previous injury.

Chicago may end up with its third-string quarterback

Williams' absence, however, creates a complicated situation for the Bears, as Tyson Bagent—who was slated to be his backup—has himself been placed in the concussion protocol.

Bagent was still listed as questionable on Saturday, despite participating fully in practice. Chicago has yet to determine who will start against the Philadelphia Eagles.

In the event that Bagent does not receive the green light, veteran Case Keenum could get the start. The 38-year-old has not started an NFL game since the 2023 season, when he played for the Houston Texans.

If Williams were to miss three weeks, he would sit out the games against Philadelphia, the New York Jets, and the Green Bay Packers. A four-game absence would also cause him to miss the game against the Atlanta Falcons.

However, the Bears have not placed their young star on the injured reserve list, which leaves the door open for a quicker return.

For Chicago, the coming weeks will therefore depend as much on Williams' recovery as on Bagent's availability.

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