Caleb Williams Carted Off With Hamstring Injury as Bears Fall to Vikings 9-3

Caleb Williams went down without anyone touching him, a development that typically signals a significant injury.

The Chicago Bears quarterback was scrambling left on first-and-goal with 7:27 left in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings at a rain-soaked Soldier Field. Williams had a lane toward the pylon, according to USA Today, then pulled up, grabbed at his lower right leg and slid to the ground. He couldn't put weight on the leg and had to be helped off by trainers, per CBS Sports.

Bears medical staff treated him in the sideline tent before carting him to the locker room. Williams gave the crowd a thumbs up on his way out, according to NBC Sports and Pro Football Rumors. The Bears officially ruled him out with a right hamstring injury.

The Bears lost 9-3. Minnesota improved to 2-0; Chicago dropped to 1-1.

What we know about the injury

Head coach Ben Johnson told reporters after the game he doesn't yet know how bad it is. "I'm actually happy it's nothing with the knee," Johnson said, according to both CBS Sports and USA Today. "That was my first inclination. But yeah, the hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So we'll see how bad it is tomorrow and we'll go from there."

Williams is scheduled for an MRI Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported, as relayed by Pro Football Rumors and USA Today. Johnson said he'd spoken to Williams after the game and that the 24-year-old was in "good spirits" despite the injury and the loss, per NFL.com.

There's at least one reason for cautious optimism. Mike Florio of NBC Sports reported Sunday evening that there's belief within league circles the injury may be a Grade 1 strain, the mildest classification for a hamstring injury, if that's in fact what Williams suffered. Florio also noted Williams dealt with a hamstring injury in his other leg back in college, so he has some experience with the recovery process. None of that is a diagnosis, and the Bears themselves said they wouldn't know more until Monday.

CHGO Sports' Adam Jahns reported Williams was seen walking under his own power in the locker room without crutches, which several outlets picked up as a modestly encouraging sign, though it's not a substitute for imaging results.

The game itself

Before the injury, Williams was having a rough, weather-affected afternoon: 15 of 26 for 138 yards with an interception and three sacks, though he'd also picked up 42 rushing yards on five carries against Brian Flores' Vikings defense. It was a significant drop from Week 1, when Williams threw for 272 yards and accounted for four touchdowns in a 59-37 win over Carolina.

Tyson Bagent came in on the drive Williams left and couldn't finish the job. Chicago faced a field-goal try to tie the game, but Cairo Santos' 23-yard attempt was blocked by Isaiah Rodgers, according to NBC News. Bagent nearly rallied the Bears on their final possession before Dallas Turner sacked him on fourth-and-2 from Minnesota's 12-yard line to end it, per NBC Sports.

Bagent finished 5 of 9 for 54 yards. He's started four games in his career, going 2-2, with a 66.4% completion rate, three touchdowns and six interceptions across that stretch, USA Today reported. If Williams is out any length of time, Bagent is next in line.

Chicago also lost defensive back Tyrique Stevenson to a hamstring injury he couldn't play through, NBC Sports reported, adding to Sunday's toll.

On the other side, backup quarterback Carson Wentz, filling in for the injured J.J. McCarthy, went 11 of 20 for 143 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions for Minnesota. Justin Jefferson caught three passes for 55 yards and moved to second on the Vikings' all-time receptions list. Aaron Jones ran for 105 yards on 23 carries.

The Bears host the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3. The Vikings travel to face Tampa Bay. Whether Williams suits up for either game depends on what Monday's MRI shows, and the Bears haven't given a timetable beyond that.