Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will not play in Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles after failing to recover from a hamstring injury suffered during a 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, league reports confirmed ahead of the kickoff at Soldier Field.
Caleb Williams Ruled Out After Missing Practice
The Chicago Bears officially ruled out Caleb Williams on Saturday after the quarterback missed all week of practice. Williams sustained the hamstring pull on a noncontact scramble during the fourth quarter of Chicago’s defeat against the Minnesota Vikings. Subsequent medical testing, including an MRI, confirmed that the signal-caller avoided a major structural injury. Even so, the short-term recovery timeline kept him sidelined for the high-profile matchup under the lights.
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Before leaving the field last Sunday, Williams completed 15 of 26 passes for 138 yards with one interception, while adding 42 rushing yards on the ground. His absence alters the offensive outlook for head coach Ben Johnson, stripping the unit of its primary improvisational playmaker against a Philadelphia defense.
Quarterback Plan: Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum
With Williams unavailable, the Chicago Bears turned their focus toward backup options under center. Tyson Bagent stepped in during relief of Williams against Minnesota, completing 5 of 9 passes for 54 yards. Bagent entered the weekend as the primary candidate to start against Philadelphia, though he was required to officially clear the league’s concussion protocol. Bagent participated in Saturday’s practice session but was listed as questionable for Monday’s contest.
Should Bagent fail to receive final medical clearance before game time, quarterback Case Keenum stands ready to step into the starting lineup. The 38-year-old Keenum brings experience to the roster, most notably standing with the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game during the 2017 season. However, Keenum has not appeared in a game since 2023, presenting a unique challenge if thrust into prime-time action against a 2-0 Philadelphia squad led defensively by Vic Fangio.
Broader Injury Concerns Across the League
The injury sidelining Williams coincides with a wave of roster disruptions across several NFL franchises during the early weeks of the 2026 season. In Los Angeles, wide receiver Puka Nacua is expected to miss the Rams’ Week 3 contest against the Denver Broncos due to a groin injury. Rams head coach Sean McVay indicated that Nacua, who also missed practice time ahead of the Giants game, is listed as doubtful but could return for Week 4 barring any setbacks.
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Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers absorbed another significant blow to their defense when Nick Bosa suffered a calf strain during a Thursday practice. The five-time Pro Bowler is expected to miss multiple weeks, with the franchise evaluating whether to place him on the Injured Reserve list. Bosa’s absence compounds mounting personnel challenges for San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan, whose defensive front has been depleted by early-season injuries.
Monday’s kickoff between the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field will proceed with the hosts managing a reshaped offensive backfield as they look to even their record at 2-1.
