NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears received the news they badly needed after Caleb Williams’ frightening exit against the Minnesota Vikings.
Williams avoided a major injury to his right hamstring, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. But the update does not mean the Bears are out of the woods. Coach Ben Johnson said Monday that his franchise quarterback is now considered week to week and will “likely miss some time.”
That creates a strange mix of relief and concern in Chicago.
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Sep 20, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) lies on the field with an apparent injury against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
The Bears feared a far worse diagnosis when Williams went down untouched during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 9-3 loss. He had first-and-goal near the end zone, broke left on a scramble and suddenly went to the ground in obvious pain. Trainers helped him off the field, and he was eventually carted to the locker room.
Johnson admitted after the game that his mind immediately went to Williams’ knee. “I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee,” Johnson said in his postgame press conference. “That was my first inclination. But the hamstring could be pretty damaging as well.”
Monday’s news offers a far better outlook than the moment itself suggested. Williams underwent an MRI, and the Bears have not ruled him out for the Week 3 home matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. Still, the team is not calling this a day-to-day situation, and Johnson was careful not to promise his starting quarterback will be back in eight days.
“It sounds like it’s going to be a week-to-week deal for him,” Johnson said on ESPN 1000. “I’ve got to still talk with our trainer. We’ll do that here shortly and I’ll have the lowdown from him. But it sounds like it’s week-to-week, but will likely miss some time.”
NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears3
Sep 21, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson talks with quarterback Caleb Williams (18) against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
When asked directly whether the Bears had dodged a bullet, Johnson did not go much further.
“Potentially,” he said. “Potentially. We’ll see. He’s tough and he comes back from these types of things, I think, better than the average human being. So, we’ll see.”
That is about as encouraging as Chicago could reasonably expect less than 24 hours after Williams’ injury. It is not a clean bill of health and not a timetable. And it certainly is not confirmation that he will face Philadelphia. It does, however, suggest the Bears avoided the worst-case scenario that briefly seemed possible when Williams could not put weight on his right leg.
Williams was later seen walking through the locker room under his own power. He did not need crutches, and teammates described him as being in good spirits. Running back D’Andre Swift said he spoke with Williams after the loss and came away feeling encouraged.
“He said he’s good,” Swift said. “He’ll be all right.”
Receiver Rome Odunze offered a similarly hopeful update.
“He’s doing well,” Odunze said. “He’s in good spirits.”
The Bears will still have to be careful with their most important player. Williams has started all 38 games of his NFL career, including postseason contests. His ability to escape pressure and create outside the structure of a play is central to what makes Ben Johnson’s offense dangerous.
That was especially clear against the Vikings. Before his exit, Williams completed 15 of 26 passes for 138 yards with an interception and added 42 rushing yards. The Bears offense struggled all afternoon against Brian Flores’ pressure-heavy defense, but Williams had Chicago on the doorstep of the potential go-ahead score before the injury ended his day.
If he cannot play against the Eagles, Tyson Bagent will take over.
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Aug 29, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans during pre-game warmups at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Bagent replaced Williams against Minnesota and nearly led a game-winning drive, completing four passes to move Chicago from its own 35-yard line to the Vikings’ 12 in the final minute. The rally ended when Dallas Turner sacked Bagent on the final play, but the Bears have long insisted that their backup is prepared for an opportunity like this.
Johnson said he will not need to reinvent everything for Bagent. “I called plays for him all preseason, so we’ll be fine,” Johnson said Sunday.
The Bears may need to lean on that confidence soon. For now, though, the first objective has been met: Williams’ season has not been derailed by the kind of injury that initially terrified Chicago. The next question is how long he will be out — and whether the Bears can stay afloat if the answer is longer than they hope.