As of last Sunday night, there was optimism that an MRI would show that Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had suffered a Grade 1 hamstring injury. For six days, the Bears managed to keep the specific degree of the strain secret.
The secret is now out. ESPN reports that it’s a Grade 2 injury, which “could” keep Williams out of action for three to four weeks.
That’s on the short end of the usual window for a Grade 2 hamstring strain — three to eight weeks.
Whatever the specific grade (and there are surely shades of gray between 1 and 2), a hamstring injury needs time to recover. And then even more time. It can feel fine with normal running. Then, when the athlete hits full speed in a game, it can grab. And then it’s aggravated. And more time can be missed.
Tyson Bagent, once cleared from a concussion he suffered last Sunday, will be the starter. Case Keenum is Bagent’s backup.
Williams has already been ruled out for Monday night’s game against the Eagles. In Week 4, the Bears host the Jets before traveling to Green Bay and then Atlanta. Next up will be the two Super Bowl teams, with a home game against the Patriots in Week 7 and a Monday night visit to Seattle in Week 8.