The Bears escaped Sunday’s loss to the Vikings with a bigger concern than the 9-3 scoreline: Caleb Williams left the game with a right hamstring injury that immediately changed the mood in Chicago.
Williams was hurt midway through the fourth quarter while the Bears were deep in Minnesota territory, and ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported that he will undergo tests Monday to determine how serious the injury is. Ben Johnson later described Williams as “week-to-week” and said he was not ruling him out for next Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, even though he does not expect the quarterback to practice this week.
For Chicago, that brought at least some relief after a scene that looked far worse in the moment. The injury appeared severe enough that the reaction on the cart drew plenty of attention around the league.
Former Philadelphia Eagles player Emmanuel Acho was among those who took issue with how Williams responded. He said, “"Crying on the cart, fist bump is reserved for done for season or career.
I think Luke Kuechly, done for career. Think about Dak Prescott breaks his leg" Acho said.
I think about Jaydon Reed can't move in the cart motionless. The crying, tears, fist bump, that is sacred in the NFL.
That is like fallen soldier, this is it cover you with the American flag, everybody take a knee."
Acho’s complaint was simple: Williams’ emotions made the injury look like the kind that ends a season, or worse. In the moment, that’s how it seemed to many watching. But once the diagnosis came back as a hamstring issue, the reaction looked a little different in hindsight.
Acho wasn’t the only person unhappy with the quarterback’s reaction, but he was the one who said Williams crossed a sacred line.
In Other News...
Blackhawks Are Seeing A Different Nick Lardis This Fall
Nick Lardis only got one preseason game to make an impression, but it was a productive one. Against Minnesota on Sept. 21, he picked up a goal and an assist while looking sharper on his skates, stronger on the puck and more comfortable in his own skin. For a young forward trying to carve out a role, those are the kinds of signs the Blackhawks were hoping to see, especially after a summer spent working toward a more complete game.
What stands out this fall is not just the production, but the way Lardis and head coach Jeff Blashill have described the change. Both pointed to added speed and a more mature approach than he showed last season, with Lardis stressing that he wants to bring that pace and confidence every night. For Chicago, the intrigue is whether this version of Lardis can keep building from a strong start and turn a promising preseason glimpse into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Just Made A Long-Term Oliver Moore Bet
The Blackhawks have already made one of their clearest long-range commitments to Oliver Moore, locking in the former first-round pick on a five-year extension that will keep him in Chicago well beyond his entry-level deal. Moore, taken 19th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, has already gotten a taste of the NHL over parts of two seasons, and the organization is signaling that it sees him as part of the next wave rather than a player to evaluate year by year.
For a team still sorting out its future, the timing matters almost as much as the player. Chicago is buying certainty around a young forward with upside before the next contract cycle arrives, and it is doing so at a number that shows real belief in Moores trajectory. The deal also gives the Blackhawks a longer runway to see how his game develops, with the contract set to carry him through 2031-32 and keep one more key decision off the front burner. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Just Sent A Clear Message With Oliver Moores New Deal
Oliver Moores next chapter is already taking shape in Chicago, and the Blackhawks made sure to lock it in early. The young center, drafted 19th overall in 2023, has already logged parts of two NHL seasons while also getting time in the AHL and gaining valuable experience on the international stage, including a gold-medal run with Team USA. For a rebuilding club that has spent the last few years trying to line up its future core, this is the kind of move that signals belief in where a player is headed, not just what he has done so far.
The timing of the deal also says plenty about how the Blackhawks view Moores role in the years ahead. By securing him now, Chicago is betting that his development will continue on the upward track and that he will be part of the group the franchise builds around when the roster is supposed to be ready to take another step. There is still plenty to sort out between now and the start of that new contract, but the message from the front office is clear enough: Moore is not just a prospect anymore, he is part of the plan. [Read more 🡒]
