Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is facing a week-to-week recovery after sustaining a right hamstring injury during Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Head coach Ben Johnson provided an update Monday, indicating that while Williams might miss some time, the team has not ruled out his availability for the Week 3 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.
Williams, who was injured late in the 9-3 loss to Minnesota, appeared to experience a concerning moment when Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel chased him during a rollout, narrowly missing a tackle before Williams slid to the ground in apparent pain. Though he was helped off the field and rode a cart to the locker room, Williams later was seen walking without crutches and gave a thumbs-up to fans.
Johnson described the quarterback as "week to week" and expressed cautious optimism, highlighting Williams' history of quick recoveries. “He’s a little bit different than the average human being,” Johnson said, noting Williams’ dedication to rehabilitation and the strong support system surrounding him. The coach also mentioned that Williams is not expected to participate in practice this week as the team evaluates his progress.
An orthopedic specialist familiar with sports injuries provided context on hamstring injuries, explaining that the severity varies widely and recovery times depend on the extent of the muscle tear. These are categorized into three grades: Grade 1 (a mild pull or overstretch) typically requires one to three weeks of healing, Grade 2 (a partial tear) may take six to eight weeks, and Grade 3 (a complete tear) can need up to three months for recovery. Williams’ designation as week to week suggests his injury may not be in the most severe category.
The specialist also emphasized the importance of reducing inflammation and carefully monitoring pain and strength during recovery to avoid premature returns that could exacerbate the injury. The fact that Williams was able to walk unaided postgame was seen as a positive sign.
Williams sustained a similar hamstring injury to his left leg during his collegiate career at USC in late 2022 but was able to return to play after about a month. This latest injury to his right hamstring marks his first significant injury since entering the NFL, where he has started every regular and postseason game to date.
Should Williams be unable to play in Week 3, backup quarterback Tyson Bagent is expected to make his fifth NFL start and first since 2023. Johnson indicated the team will not rush Williams back onto the field and will prioritize his full recovery before deciding on his status for upcoming games.