Caleb Williams has been ruled out of the Chicago Bears’ home game against the Philadelphia Eagles, with reports projecting a three-to-four-week absence because of a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Case Keenum is expected to start the Monday night fixture after practising throughout the week.
Chicago have a 1-1 record heading into the Week 3 game, while Philadelphia are unbeaten at 2-0. The quarterback change follows the Bears’ 9-3 defeat by the Minnesota Vikings, during which both Williams and replacement Tyson Bagent were injured.
What is known about Williams’ injury
Williams sustained the hamstring injury in the fourth quarter against Minnesota. CBS Sports reported that the 24-year-old went down during a running play, received assistance from the medical staff and was subsequently taken away on a cart.
Initial reports suggested that Williams had avoided a major injury, according to CBS. However, he missed a third consecutive practice session on Saturday and was officially ruled out of the Eagles game. ESPN reported the Grade 2 diagnosis and the projected three-to-four-week absence, citing information reported by Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
That projection is separate from head coach Ben Johnson’s public assessment. Johnson described Williams as week-to-week and declined to attach a timeline to his recovery, while saying that the quarterback had recovered faster than anticipated from previous injuries.
The Guardian also reported the three-to-four-week estimate, while noting that Williams could return sooner. The distinction matters when interpreting the news: Chicago’s confirmed decision concerns the Philadelphia fixture; the longer absence is a reported recovery estimate rather than a return date announced by Johnson.
The Guardian outlined one possible schedule scenario. If Williams were to miss three games, he could be in line to return for the Bears’ away meeting with the Atlanta Falcons on 18 October. Chicago are then due to host the New England Patriots the following week. Those fixtures provide context for the reported window, rather than establishing which game Williams will actually play.
Why Keenum is expected to start
Keenum, 38, was the only quarterback on Chicago’s 53-man roster to participate in every practice session leading into Week 3, ESPN reported. His expected selection would bring him back into NFL action after his last appearance for the Houston Texans in 2023, according to CBS Sports.
Bagent has cleared concussion protocol and does not carry an injury designation into Monday’s game. ESPN nevertheless reported that the 26-year-old is expected to back up Keenum after missing two practice sessions before returning as a full participant on Saturday.
His concussion came on his second play after replacing Williams against Minnesota. ESPN said Bagent threw a short pass to his left that fell incomplete before Vikings outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel drove him to the turf.
That sequence explains why Williams’ absence alone does not capture the Bears’ quarterback situation. The original starter is unavailable, while the player who relieved him has only just completed the protocol and resumed full practice. Keenum’s uninterrupted preparation is the clearest reported difference between the two available options.
Chicago’s quarterback preparation
| Quarterback | Reported Week 3 position | Practice information |
|---|---|---|
| Caleb Williams | Ruled out against Philadelphia | Missed a third straight session on Saturday |
| Case Keenum | Expected to start | Practised every day in the build-up |
| Tyson Bagent | Expected backup; no injury designation | Full participant on Saturday after two missed sessions |