Leaning no, but not ruled out. Caleb Williams strained his right hamstring in Week 2 and coach Ben Johnson called him week to week on Monday, adding that Williams is not expected to practice early in the week but has not been ruled out of Monday night’s game against Philadelphia. Imaging showed the strain is minor. Because the Bears play Monday, Chicago’s first injury report of the week comes out Thursday afternoon, and Williams’ practice status Friday and Saturday will decide it. If he cannot go, Tyson Bagent starts.
| Injury | Right hamstring strain, minor per imaging |
| Coach’s word | Week to week; not expected to practice early in the week |
| Game | Eagles at Bears, Monday, September 28, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN |
| If he sits | Tyson Bagent starts |
How It Happened
Williams went down on a non-contact scramble deep in Minnesota territory with about seven and a half minutes left in Sunday’s 9-3 loss to the Vikings at a rain soaked Soldier Field, and was carted off with a towel over his head. Johnson said afterward he was relieved it was not the knee. Williams was seen walking in the locker room without crutches after the game, and imaging Monday confirmed a minor strain. He was 15 of 26 for 138 yards with an interception and ran five times for 42 yards before leaving.
What Johnson Said
Johnson said Williams is working through every avenue available to get back and described him as a quick healer, which is why the door is open despite the missed practices. The realistic version is that a hamstring strain in a quarterback’s plant leg is hard to play on six days later, and most of the reporting points to at least one week out.
Tyson Bagent
Bagent has started for the Bears before and runs the offense competently without the downfield element Williams brings. Against an Eagles defense at home on Monday night, expect a run heavy plan around D’Andre Swift, with Rome Odunze and rookie Luther Burden III as the main targets. Veteran Case Keenum would be the backup behind Bagent.
When You Will Know
Thursday’s first report, then Friday and Saturday practice, then inactives 90 minutes before kickoff Monday. This page is updated at each step.
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