Bears say Caleb Williams is week-to-week with hamstring injury, will ‘miss some time’

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been ruled week-to-week with a hamstring injury, coach Ben Johnson said on Monday in a radio interview on ESPN 1000, after Williams suffered the injury during Sunday’s loss at Soldier Field.

Williams was injured on a fourth-quarter scramble on the wet turf at Soldier Field when he awkwardly tumbled onto his knees and rolled over a couple times before Bears medical staff attended to him; initial reporting on Sunday described the injury as a Grade 1 hamstring strain.

Johnson declined to provide a definitive recovery timeline but said, “He’s going to miss some time. I haven’t met with the trainers yet but will have the full lowdown,” adding, “He does tend to recover from these things quickly.”

The Ringer reported Williams could play next week against the Eagles, but Johnson’s comments on Monday make that scenario uncertain; if Williams cannot play next Monday it would be the first time Johnson has been forced to start a backup quarterback as an offensive play caller.

Williams, 24, has made 36 consecutive starts since the Bears selected him No 1 overall in 2024 and this season has completed 65.5% of his passes for 407 yards, two touchdowns and one interception as Chicago sits 1-1.

Backup Tyson Bagent relieved Williams on Sunday, completing 5 of 9 passes for 54 yards, and over the last four seasons has thrown for 971 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions in 13 games (four starts); all four starts came as a rookie in 2023 for Chicago.

Johnson said he has confidence in Bagent if called upon to start, stating of the backup, “He’s wired the right way. Having a full week of preparation can make all the difference in performance,” and adding, “I said at the combine, we view him as one of the top 32 [quarterback in the NFL]. The way he approaches it, his teammates are going to fight their tails off for him.”

Williams’s availability for next Monday’s game against the Eagles remains uncertain pending further evaluation and the Bears’ meetings with their trainers.