Caleb Williams exits Bears' 9-3 loss to Vikings with hamstring injury

Caleb Williams, the quarterback Chicago had been building around after a record-setting Week 1 performance, was carted off the field Sunday with a hamstring injury as the Bears lost 9-3 to the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field — a result that dropped them to 1-1 and left their season's trajectory suddenly uncertain.

The injury came in the fourth quarter with the Bears trailing 6-3 and facing first-and-goal from the Vikings' six-yard line. Williams took off to his left with open space ahead of him, then stumbled and fell to his knees on a non-contact play. He grabbed at his right leg, let out an audible yell, and rolled over several times before the Bears' medical staff reached him. He was briefly evaluated in a sideline medical tent before being carted to the locker room. The Bears ruled him out for the remainder of the game.

I'm actually happy it's nothing with the knee. That was my first inclination. But a hamstring could be pretty damaging, as well. So we'll see how bad it is tomorrow and we'll go from there. But it's quick; you gotta turn the page, particularly when you're right there. We needed points desperately at that point. Shame.— Ben Johnson, Bears head coach

Johnson told reporters he had spoken with Williams before his postgame news conference and that the third-year quarterback was in "good spirits." He said the team would have a clearer picture of the severity on Monday. According to CHGO Sports' Adam Jahns, as reported by NFL.com, Williams was seen walking in the locker room under his own power without crutches.

The game itself was a stark contrast to the week before. One week after the Bears hung 59 points on the Carolina Panthers, Williams and the offense were stifled by a stout Vikings defense on a rainy, gloomy day along the Chicago lakefront. Williams finished 15 of 26 for 138 yards, threw one interception, and took three sacks before leaving. He had also accumulated 42 rushing yards on five carries — the scrambling ability that contributed to the injury. Soggy field conditions, according to CBS Sports, may have been a factor in the non-contact nature of the fall.

After Williams went down, the drive stalled and the Bears attempted a field goal that the Vikings blocked, eliminating any chance of tying the game. Backup Tyson Bagent replaced Williams and nearly engineered a comeback, but was sacked by Dallas Turner on fourth down in the red zone to end the game. Bagent, who started four games during the 2023 season and went 2-2, would be in line to start if Williams misses extended time, according to NFL.com.

For the Vikings, Carson Wentz completed 11 of 20 passes for 143 yards in his 100th career start, and Aaron Jones Sr. rushed for 105 yards. Minnesota won despite not scoring a touchdown — their only points came from field goals — and moved to 2-0. Justin Jefferson had three catches for 55 yards.

Why it matters — Williams is the centerpiece of Chicago's rebuild, and any significant absence would force the Bears to rely on backup Tyson Bagent at a critical early point in the season.

Reported by yahoo.com, theguardian.com, nfl.com, cbssports.com