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09/20 17:37 CDT Bears quarterback Caleb Williams carted off with a right
hamstring injury
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams carted off with a right hamstring injury
By JAY COHEN
AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) --- Rome Odunze knew something was wrong when Caleb Williams
stayed on the ground.
Williams left Chicago's 9-3 loss to Minnesota in the fourth quarter with a
right hamstring injury, punctuating a frustrating afternoon for the Bears. The
third-year quarterback got hurt on a scramble deep in Vikings territory with
about 7 1/2 minutes left.
"I've never seen him go down like that and be down like that," said Odunze, one
of Chicago's top receivers. "He usually pops back up. I've seen him pop back up
from hits, all sorts of things. So definitely not a great feeling but instantly
praying for him and know he's going to be back as soon as he can."
Williams, 24, was helped off the wet field on a rainy afternoon. The No. 1 pick
in the 2024 draft had a towel draped over his head as he was carted to the
locker room. He took the towel off as the cart moved along the sideline and
pumped his right arm to rev up the sullen crowd of 58,914 at Soldier Field.
Williams was 15 for 26 for 138 yards with an interception. He also had five
carries for 42 yards.
Bears coach Ben Johnson said he saw Williams right after the loss and he was in
good spirits.
"I'm actually happy it's nothing with the knee," Johnson said. "That was my
first inclination. But yeah, a hamstring can be pretty damaging as well. We'll
see how bad it is tomorrow and we'll go from there. It's quickly you've got to
turn the page."
Williams threw for a franchise-record 3,942 yards while leading Chicago to the
NFC North title in Johnson's first season as coach. He had 27 touchdown passes
and seven interceptions.
He was coming off a terrific performance in a 59-37 win over Carolina in Week
1. He was 21 for 29 for 269 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers. He
also rushed for 65 yards and two TDs in the highest scoring opener in franchise
history.
"It hurts man. I thought we had a touchdown," wide receiver Luther Burden said.
"To see him go down, I mean he's the heart and soul and the engine of this
team. Hopefully he's OK and he'll get back out there."
Chicago was down 6-3 when Williams departed ahead of a second-and-goal play
from the 6. Tyson Bagent came in and passed to D'Andre Swift for 1 yard before
throwing an incomplete pass on third down.
Johnson then sent Cairo Santos on for a 23-yard field goal, but the kick was
blocked by Isaiah Rodgers.
"We needed points desperately at that point and, you know, it's a shame,"
Johnson said.
Bagent, 26, also drove Chicago deep into Minnesota territory on its last
possession, but he was sacked by Dallas Turner on the final play of the game.
He was 5 for 9 for 54 yards.
"Last play, yeah, it got kind of hairy for me but unacceptable on my end,"
Bagent said. "But you've got to at least give someone a chance. You've got to
be better executing when we get down at the end."
Bagent had a record-setting career at Division II Shepherd University before
signing with Chicago in May 2023 as an undrafted free agent. He made four
starts while appearing in five games as rookie, passing for 859 yards and three
touchdowns with six interceptions.
Bagent, who signed a two-year contract extension in August 2025, is confident
in his ability to step in for Williams if he has to miss any games.
"I feel great," he said. "I feel like I have a good team around me, good
coaching staff, so I'm ready to roll."
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