Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is week to week with a right hamstring injury after a Monday MRI, coach Ben Johnson said, stopping short of ruling him out for next Monday night's home game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Johnson said he does not expect Williams to practice this week, ESPN reported. He also called the team's report on the injury "somewhat encouraging," according to NFL.com.
The Bears have not announced a strain grade. Before the MRI, Pro Football Talk reported that the initial hope was a Grade 1 strain, the mildest level. After the imaging, OutKick reported that the MRI showed a strain but no tear. Neither report is an official team diagnosis.
For Chicago fans and weekend runners alike, the case highlights a common trap. A strained hamstring often feels better well before the muscle is ready for full-speed sprinting, and the weeks right after a return carry the greatest risk of another injury.
Imaging Brought Relief, but No Official Grade
Williams went down on a non-contact scramble in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 9-3 home-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings and was carted off the field. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Riff told ABC7 Chicago that the play looked like an overstriding injury, which he called "classic for a hamstring strain." He added that the non-contact mechanism was reassuring.
If Williams cannot play, Tyson Bagent, who finished Sunday's game, would start.
Williams has dealt with this muscle group before. He played through a hamstring injury in the 2022 Pac-12 championship game while at USC. A previous hamstring injury is a well-established risk factor for another one.
Three Grades with Very Different Timelines
Clinicians grade hamstring strains by how much of the muscle is torn, Cleveland Clinic explains. Grade 1 is a mild strain with very little torn muscle. Grade 2 is a partial tear. Grade 3 is a complete tear. Grade 2 and Grade 3 injuries usually cause a noticeable loss of strength, and MRI or ultrasound can help confirm the grade.
Recovery generally lengthens with each grade. Mild strains often heal in days to a few weeks and partial tears in several weeks, while complete tears, or injuries in which the tendon pulls away from the bone, can require surgery and months of rehabilitation.
Professional football offers a useful benchmark. A 12-year review of NFL injury reports published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine identified 2,101 hamstring injuries among 1,354 players from 2008 to 2020. Players stayed on the injury report for about 2.4 weeks on average. One-third of the players (33%) had a later reinjury, and 27% of those reinjuries happened in the same season.
That study relied on publicly reported injury lists rather than medical records, so it could not measure the severity of individual strains. It shows league-wide patterns, not a prediction for any one player.
Returning Too Soon Drives Many Setbacks
Research from Australian football published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found a 9% risk of hamstring reinjury in the first match back, with the risk staying elevated for 15 weeks after a return to play. A recent history of the same injury was the strongest risk factor.
The same principles apply off the field, in pickup basketball, sprint workouts, and even a dash to catch a train. Sudden pain in the back of the thigh, a popping sensation, bruising, or trouble walking should prompt a visit with a clinician, especially if strength is clearly reduced. Heavy bruising or an inability to bear weight may point to a tendon injury that needs faster specialist evaluation.
The people most likely to strain a hamstring are those who sprint, kick, or change direction quickly, such as soccer, football, and track athletes. Older recreational athletes who return to sprinting after long breaks, and anyone with a previous hamstring strain, also face higher risk. Gradual warmups and strengthening the muscles in the back of the thigh are common prevention steps.
People recovering from a strain can ask whether imaging is needed and request a structured rehabilitation plan that rebuilds strength before full-speed running. Walking without pain is not the same as being ready to sprint; the muscle must be able to handle explosive, high-speed loads first. Because some insurance plans require referrals or limit physical therapy visits, checking coverage early can prevent gaps in care.
The Bears' practice reports this week and any update from Johnson will be the next signals for the Sept. 28 game. The team has not disclosed an official grade. For now, the news is encouraging but incomplete, and MedicalDaily will update this report as the team shares more.
Key Dates in the Williams Injury
Sept. 21, 2026: Williams had an MRI. Johnson listed him as week-to-week and did not rule him out for the Eagles game.
Sept. 20, 2026: Williams injured his right hamstring against Minnesota, was carted off, and was ruled out for the rest of the game. That evening, Pro Football Talk reported that the initial hope was a Grade 1 strain.
Key Questions Answered
What is Caleb Williams' current status? Coach Ben Johnson listed Williams as week to week after a Monday MRI and said he has not been ruled out for the Sept. 28 game against Philadelphia, though he is not expected to practice this week.
Is it confirmed as a Grade 1 strain? No. Pro Football Talk reported that a Grade 1 strain was the initial hope, and OutKick reported that the MRI showed a strain but no tear. The Bears have not announced an official grade.
What are the three hamstring strain grades? Grade 1 involves very little torn muscle, Grade 2 is a partial tear, and Grade 3 is a complete tear. Higher grades usually mean more pain, more weakness, and a longer recovery.
Why do hamstring injuries come back so often? Research shows reinjury risk is highest in the first match back and stays elevated for about 15 weeks, especially after a recent strain.
When should an everyday athlete see a doctor for a hamstring injury? Seek care for significant pain, a popping sensation, bruising, weakness, or trouble walking. Heavy bruising or an inability to bear weight calls for prompt evaluation.
Can someone return to running once walking stops hurting? Not necessarily. Clinicians generally recommend rebuilding strength and flexibility through a structured plan before returning to sprinting.
