Caleb Williams Suffers Hamstring Injury as Vikings Beat Bears 9-3

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was carted off with a right hamstring injury as the Minnesota Vikings won 9-3 at a rain-soaked Soldier Field on Sunday.

The injury came at the worst possible moment, with Chicago on first-and-goal from the Minnesota six-yard line and trailing by three in the fourth quarter.

Pulled Up Short of the End Zone

Williams rolled to his left with what appeared to be a lane to score. As Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel dived at his right heel, Williams lifted his leg to evade the tackle and his hamstring seized. He pulled up and slid on his knees behind the line of scrimmage.

He did not put weight on his right leg as trainers helped him off, and after a brief assessment in the sideline medical tent he was carted to the locker room. Williams initially had a towel over his head but removed it to give the crowd a thumbs-up.

Head coach Ben Johnson said afterwards he did not yet know how serious the injury was, but was relieved it had not involved the knee.

"I'm actually happy it's nothing with the knee," Johnson said. "That was my first inclination, but the hamstring could be pretty damaging as well."

Johnson said Williams was "in good spirits" and that the club would carry out imaging on Monday.

A Low-Scoring Grind

Williams had completed 15 of 26 passes for 138 yards with an interception before he went off. The game never opened up in the wet conditions, and a blocked field goal proved one of the key moments in a contest decided by three field goals to one.

Minnesota, quarterbacked by Carson Wentz, improved to 2-0. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores got the better of Johnson's offence throughout, holding the Bears without a touchdown a week after Chicago scored 59 points against Carolina in the highest-scoring Week 1 game in NFL history.

Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson also suffered a hamstring injury and did not return.

A Quick Turnaround

Chicago, the defending NFC North champions, now face a short week. They host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night in Week 3, and Williams' availability will depend on how the hamstring responds and whether he can take part in practice.

Tyson Bagent is the backup and would start if Williams cannot play.

Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 draft, is in his third season. A lengthy absence would be a significant blow to a Bears side hoping to defend its division title, particularly with Minnesota already a game clear after two weeks.

The injury was one of two involving high-profile quarterbacks on Sunday. Washington's Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow against Dallas on the final play of the first half.

The Vikings travel to Tampa Bay next.