Caleb Williams Suffers Apparent Hamstring Injury in Bears Loss

CHICAGO (WLS) — Rain poured over Soldier Field on Sunday as the Chicago Bears absorbed a frustrating 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and watched quarterback Caleb Williams leave with a hamstring injury.

Minnesota’s defense made the decisive plays, with Isaiah Rodgers recovering a fumble and later blocking a late Chicago field-goal attempt to preserve the Vikings’ victory.

Aaron Jones powered Minnesota with 105 rushing yards, while Will Reichard connected on three field goals, including a 39-yarder with 1:09 remaining. The Vikings moved to 2-0 for the first time since beginning the 2024 season with five straight wins.

Williams was injured on a scramble midway through the fourth quarter, abruptly quieting the rain-soaked crowd of 58,914 at Soldier Field.

Tyson Bagent took over at quarterback, but Chicago’s ensuing possession ended when Rodgers blocked Cairo Santos’ 23-yard field-goal attempt, allowing Minnesota to hold onto its 6-3 advantage.

Dallas Turner helped anchor a Vikings defense that held Chicago to 297 total yards. Turner recorded two of Minnesota’s four sacks, while Byron Murphy Jr. picked off a risky Williams pass in the opening quarter.

The Bears entered the game after producing 291 rushing yards and 552 total yards in a 59-37 win over Carolina in Week 1, the highest-scoring season opener in NFL history.

Williams went down with roughly 7 1/2 minutes left after scrambling deep into Minnesota territory. The third-year quarterback had enjoyed a spectacular opener, throwing two touchdown passes and running for two more, but needed assistance leaving the field Sunday.

The No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft was helped across the slick, rain-covered field at Soldier Field.

With a towel covering his head, the 24-year-old Williams was taken toward the locker room on a cart. He later removed the towel, raised his right arm and tried to energize the disappointed crowd of 58,914 along the sideline.

Williams completed 15 of 26 passes for 138 yards and an interception. He also carried the ball five times for 42 yards.

“I mean, you could kind of see it in real time. I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee,” Bears coach Ben 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 go from there. You’ve quickly got to turn the page.

Bagent completed a pass to D’Andre Swift for 1 yard before an incomplete throw on third down. Johnson opted to send Santos out for a 23-yard attempt, but Rodgers broke through to block it.

After Carson Wentz guided Minnesota into position for Reichard’s third field goal, Chicago mounted one final threat. Bagent connected with Rome Odunze for 21 yards and Luther Burden for 8, moving the Bears to the Vikings 12-yard line.

Wentz finished 11 of 20 for 143 yards, while Justin Jefferson caught three passes for 55 yards. Wentz started because Kyler Murray was still progressing through the NFL’s concussion protocol.

With Chicago trailing 6-3, Williams led the Bears to first-and-goal at the Minnesota 1 on the opening drive of the second half. Swift then lost the ball after a hit from Jalen Redmond, and Rodgers recovered for the Vikings.

The teams traded field goals on their first possessions. Jefferson’s 30-yard catch helped set up Reichard’s 35-yarder, while Williams’ 19-yard run sparked Chicago’s drive to Santos’ 50-yard kick.

Fans react to Williams injury, Bears loss; doctor provides insight

When Williams was taken off the field in the fourth quarter, trainers quickly surrounded him as he struggled to get upright after suffering the hamstring injury.

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“It was probably something serious,” fan Bobby Nesby said. “I’m just praying it’s not.”

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Riff of UChicago Medicine AdventHealth watched the injury unfold live.

“I think we’re all fearing the worst,” Riff said. “He’s the critical piece of, probably, the team that we’ve been most optimistic about for a long, long time.”

“This was, really, sort of an overstriding-type injury, and that is classic for a hamstring strain,” he said.

The moment sent Bears fans into disbelief as their star quarterback left the game.

“When we saw him getting kind of helped off the field, I think our minds went to, ‘Is this the Madden curse?'” fan Sam Razi said.

ESPN reports that Williams will undergo imaging on his right hamstring Monday.

Riff said the rehabilitation plan will likely last for weeks and could require crutches.

“The hope is that within, you know, two to three weeks, we might see him kind of training with the guys,” Riff said.

Williams’ injury overshadowed the Bears’ 9-3 loss to the Vikings. At times, both teams appeared to struggle on a wet and slippery Soldier Field.

“You saw everybody slipping and sliding on the field,” fan Julie Zhu told said. “They were having trouble, obviously, catching the ball because it was so slippery.”

Zhu and her family were among the thousands in the stands. They were wearing ponchos.

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