The Chicago Bears left Sunday’s 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings with more than just an early divisional defeat. By the end of the fourth quarter, all eyes were on Caleb Williams after the quarterback went down with what looked like a serious injury.
It turned out to be a right hamstring issue, and ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported that Williams will undergo tests Monday to determine how severe it is. She also wrote, “Williams exited Chicago's 9-3 loss to the Vikings midway through the fourth quarter with the Bears deep in Minnesota territory.”
What followed was immediate concern, and then a bit of relief. Cronin later reported that Bears coach Ben Johnson called Williams “week-to-week” on Monday afternoon. Johnson said he was not ruling Williams out for next Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, even though he does not expect him to practice this week.
That update was welcome news for Chicago. But the reaction to how Williams handled the moment drew plenty of criticism around the league, including from former Philadelphia Eagles player Emmanuel Acho.
“"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 said Williams’ reaction made it seem like the quarterback knew the injury was season-ending. The way the injury unfolded could certainly have suggested something far worse, but the hamstring diagnosis changed the picture.
Acho wasn’t the only one unhappy with Williams’ reaction, but he was the one who called out what he viewed as a sacred NFL line. In his view, that kind of emotional cart exit is reserved for injuries that end a season.
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