Bears quarterback Caleb Williams carted off with a right hamstring injury

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams left Sunday's 9-3 loss to Minnesota in the fourth quarter with a right hamstring injury.

Williams got hurt on a scramble deep in Minnesota territory with about 7 1/2 minutes left. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft was helped off the wet field on a rainy afternoon at Soldier Field.

“I mean you could kind of see 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 we’ll go from there. It’s quickly you’ve got to turn the page.”

The 24-year-old Williams had a towel draped over his head as he was carted to the locker room. He took the towel off as the cart moved along the sideline and pumped his right arm to rev up the sullen crowd of 58,914.

Williams was 15 for 26 for 138 yards with an interception. He also had five carries for 42 yards.

"As a teammate and as a good friend of mine, the connection we’ve built over the years, it’s super unfortunate to see him go down,” backup quarterback Tyson Bagent said.

Bagent came in, and the drive ended when Cairo Santos' 23-yard field goal was blocked by Isaiah Rodgers — preserving Minnesota's 6-3 lead.

Williams was coming off a terrific performance in a 59-37 win over Carolina in Week 1. He was 21 for 29 for 269 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers. He also rushed for 65 yards and two TDs in the highest scoring opener in franchise history.

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here