Caleb Williams’ afternoon ended abruptly in Chicago’s Week 2 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, and the way it happened left the Bears holding their breath.
Late in the fourth quarter, with Chicago trying to find a go-ahead touchdown deep in Minnesota territory, Williams rolled left to extend the play and then suddenly pulled up. He went to the turf after what looked like a non-contact lower-body injury, grabbed at one of his legs and let out an audible yell before trainers reached him.
The Bears’ medical staff checked him on the sideline in the medical tent, then carted him to the locker room for further evaluation. Williams gave a thumbs up as he was taken off the field.
The injury came on a day when the weather had already made life difficult for both offenses. Heavy rain in Chicago left the field slick and turned the NFC East showdown into a defensive grind.
At the time Williams exited, Chicago trailed 6-3. Tyson Bagent stepped in for the Bears, and a drive that had looked promising ended in the red zone after Williams left. Chicago settled for a field goal try, and Minnesota blocked the kick that would have tied it.
Williams had been fighting through an uneven game before the injury. He finished 15 of 26 for 138 yards, with one interception and three sacks. He also added 42 rushing yards on five carries, with his ability to escape the pocket showing up both in the scramble stats and, ultimately, in the play that sent him out of the game.
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Caleb Williams Exit Suddenly Looms Over Vikings Bears Rivalry
Caleb Williams exit in the fourth quarter of Sundays Bears-Vikings game put a sudden jolt into a rivalry that already had plenty riding on it. On a non-contact play, the Bears quarterback went down with a hamstring injury, then had to be carried off before being carted to the locker room, turning what had been a tense divisional matchup into one with a much bigger concern hanging over Chicago.
For the Vikings, the bigger picture is less about one play than what it might mean for a division opponent already dealing with uncertainty at quarterback. Medical experts who looked at the injury believe it is a hamstring strain, the kind that can force a player to miss time, and the timing could matter well beyond one afternoon in Week 2. [Read more 🡒]