The Chicago Bears appear set to turn to a 38-year-old third-string quarterback Monday night after starter Caleb Williams was deemed unlikely to play against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Williams strained his hamstring in last Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings and has not practiced this week. Coach Ben Johnson has stopped short of officially ruling him out, but multiple reports Saturday indicated Case Keenum will start the Week 3 primetime game at Soldier Field.
Backup Tyson Bagent remains in the concussion protocol after taking over when Williams left the Vikings game. That leaves Keenum as the only healthy quarterback on the 53-man roster.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Williams is classified as week-to-week.
“He’s not a slam dunk for Week 4 either,” Fowler said. “They got to see how it goes over the next coming days, but they got to start 38-year-old Case Keenum this week, Monday night against Philadelphia.”
Fowler noted Keenum has not started a game since 2023.
“They got a deep quarterback room, but Keenum’s their three. Tyson Bagent is still in concussion protocol.”
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said fans misread his earlier report that Williams had not been ruled out.
“With Caleb, despite what it looked like on the field, he’s gonna be back soon,” Pelissero said. “He didn’t practice today. It’s unlikely that he plays Monday night.”
Pelissero added that tests showed no major structural damage.
“I said they’re not ruling him out. Meaning it’s not a 0% chance (he plays against Eagles). … This is not a long-term injury for Caleb.”
Williams was carted off the field in the third quarter last week after the hamstring injury. He completed 15 of 26 passes for 138 yards and an interception before exiting and also ran five times for 42 yards.
The Bears opened the season with a 59-37 win over Carolina but managed just three points in the Vikings loss. Their offense has averaged more than 200 rushing yards through two games, a strength that could become more important with a veteran backup under center.
Keenum, a 14-year veteran with 66 career starts, has not thrown a regular-season pass since 2023. He has spoken positively about working with first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
“If I get a chance to have that guy in my ear, golly man. He’s gonna go down as probably the best play-caller, play designer, coach — all of the above — when it’s all said and done,” Keenum said. “Some of the stuff that man does is unbelievable. And the way he sees the game, the way he’s able to prepare guys, the way he leads; I am the biggest Ben Johnson fan.”
The Eagles bring one of the league’s stronger defenses, coordinated by Vic Fangio. Philadelphia is dealing with its own injuries, including tight end Dallas Goedert, but still presents a difficult matchup for a Bears offense missing its starting quarterback.
Johnson has said Williams will not practice this week. The extra day before the Monday night kickoff has not changed the outlook for the young quarterback.
Practice squad quarterback Miller Moss could be elevated if both Williams and Bagent are inactive. The Bears have also considered emergency options under the league’s third-quarterback rule but plan to go with Keenum if needed.
Kicker Cairo Santos has also missed practice with a hip injury, adding another question mark for a team that struggled to score last week.
Williams’ status for Week 4 against the Jets remains uncertain. The Bears hope the hamstring strain heals quickly enough for him to return soon after the Eagles game.
The team submitted injury reports listing both Williams and Bagent as non-participants Thursday and Friday. Those reports, combined with the latest comments from reporters covering the team, have shifted expectations firmly toward Keenum starting.
Chicago entered the season with high hopes for Williams in his second year. The injury, while not considered long-term, creates an immediate challenge against a divisional opponent in prime time.
The Bears will issue a final injury report Saturday. Barring a late change, fans at Soldier Field are expected to see Keenum take the first snap Monday night.
