This is a massive sigh of relief. The Bears feared the worst after seeing Williams go down with a non-contact injury. The screams and reaction by the quarterback were all uninspiring. Now, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, it’s the best-case scenario for all parties involved.

While Week 2 wasn’t kind to Williams, this is incredibly good news. The Bears lost against the Minnesota Vikings and scored just three points. Given that the injury occurred in the fourth quarter, it’s not like Williams’ injury was the catalyst for a bad offensive performance.

Ben Johnson must make the offense look good in Week 3 vs Eagles

After promising that the Bears would have the best offense in NFL history and putting 59 points in Week 1, you cannot put up a dud in Week 2 with just a field goal on the scoreboard. Of course, critics came crashing on the Bears.

Therefore, Williams and Johnson need a bounce back week. Williams, though, must recover rapidly if he wants to play in Week 3 vs Eagles. If not, Tyson Bagent will be under center, and the task to score points will be way more difficult.

The Eagles haven’t been precisely elite either

The Eagles are 2-0 but if Caleb Williams is able to suit up, the Bears should be confident in maybe winning this game. Philadelphia barely escaped the Tennessee Titans in Week 2 and struggled to beat the Washington Commanders.

The Bears are a more capable team than both the Commanders and Titans. The fact of the matter is that at full strength, both of the teams are playoff-caliber franchises. The game will be in Chicago so that might aid the Bears.

Key takeaways

• Caleb Williams avoided major injury after suffering a non-contact hamstring strain in Week 2.
• The Chicago offense managed to score just three points in their loss to Minnesota.
• Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent will step in if the starter misses Week 3.

Williams immediately appeared to be in significant pain and was attended to by the Bears’ medical staff before being helped off the field. He was eventually taken to the locker room, bringing his afternoon to an early end as Chicago tried to rally against Minnesota.

The Bears have not yet revealed the severity of the hamstring injury or how much time Williams could miss. Head coach Ben Johnson said the team will know more after further evaluation, making the coming days important for determining the quarterback’s status for Week 3.

Caleb Williams remains positive after suffering hamstring injury

Despite the concerning scene at Soldier Field, Williams reportedly remains positive about his recovery. Mike Florio reported that the Bears quarterback is in good spirits as he prepares to begin the recovery process.

“Bears quarterback Caleb Williams suffered a right hamstring injury while scrambling in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Vikings. And while he was in significant pain after it happened, we’re told that he seems to be in ‘good spirits’ about attacking the recovery process.”

That positive outlook is encouraging for Chicago, but the Bears still need to determine the extent of the injury before establishing a timetable. Johnson acknowledged after the game that his first concern was Williams’ knee, and he was relieved that the injury appeared to involve the hamstring instead.

Williams finished the game 15-of-26 passing for 138 yards and also rushed for 42 yards before leaving. Tyson Bagent replaced him for the final minutes, and the Bears ultimately fell 9-3 to Minnesota.

The Bears now have more than a week before their next game against the Philadelphia Eagles, giving Williams some time to undergo additional testing and begin his recovery. For now, Chicago will wait for more information before determining whether its starting quarterback will be available in Week 3.

Williams had been on the field for most of the afternoon before exiting late in the game. The Bears have confirmed it’s a hamstring injury and the severity remains subject to further evaluation.

The timing of the injury makes it particularly notable for Chicago, as Williams was trying to lead the Bears through another NFC North matchup after an impressive performance in the team’s season opener. More information should become available after the quarterback is evaluated by the team’s medical staff.

What happened to Caleb Williams?

Caleb Williams suffered a right hamstring injury during the fourth quarter and ultimately left the game with approximately seven minutes remaining. The Bears provided that initial diagnosis as the QB was carted off the field.

The Bears will likely provide an update on the severity of Williams’ injury after the game, when the quarterback can undergo a more thorough evaluation. Until that happens, it is too early to determine whether the injury could affect his availability for Chicago’s Week 3 matchup.

For now, the biggest concern is simply determining the extent of the injury. Williams’ status will be something to monitor closely in the coming days, particularly if the Bears’ medical evaluation confirms a significant muscular problem.

Murray’s Vikings debut lasted only part of the first quarter after he took a hard hit following a scramble. The quarterback was evaluated for a concussion and ultimately ruled out, forcing Carson Wentz to take over against Green Bay. Murray remained in the concussion protocol throughout the week despite returning to limited practice.

The absence is a significant one for Minnesota, especially after Murray was brought in to stabilize the quarterback position. The Vikings were able to rally behind Wentz and defeat the Packers 39-22, but they will now need their veteran backup to start again against a Bears team that opened the season with an explosive offensive performance.

Who is starting quarterback for Vikings vs Bears?

Carson Wentz will start at quarterback for the Vikings against the Bears. Head coach Kevin O’Connell officially announced the decision Friday, giving Wentz another opportunity after he stepped in for Murray during the Week 1 victory over Green Bay.

Wentz played an important role in that comeback, completing 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He will now make his 100th career NFL start, while J.J. McCarthy will serve as his backup against Chicago.

The Vikings are hopeful Murray can clear the concussion protocol early next week and return for Week 3, but the quarterback’s immediate focus is on completing the league’s required process. For now, Wentz gets another start as Minnesota tries to remain undefeated against the Bears.

Murray’s absence is therefore precautionary rather than an indication of a long-term injury. He made progress during the week and participated on a limited basis, but Minnesota ultimately decided that he had not progressed far enough through the concussion protocol to play Sunday.

Murray entered the NFL’s concussion protocol after taking a hard hit during his Vikings debut and was unable to return to the game. Although he provided some encouraging signs during the week and was able to participate on a limited basis in practice, Minnesota ultimately decided not to rush its new starting quarterback back onto the field.

The decision means Carson Wentz will get another opportunity to lead the Vikings’ offense after stepping in for Murray in Week 1. Wentz helped Minnesota complete a comeback victory over Green Bay, and he will now make his 100th career NFL start against Chicago.

Who will be starting quarterback for Vikings vs Bears?

Carson Wentz will be the starting quarterback for the Vikings against the Bears. The veteran took over after Murray’s concussion in Week 1 and delivered a strong performance, throwing three touchdown passes while helping Minnesota overcome a significant deficit against Green Bay.

Wentz’s experience gives the Vikings a proven option while Murray continues his recovery. Minnesota had taken a cautious approach throughout the week, relying on the medical staff to determine whether Murray was ready to advance through the concussion protocol rather than allowing the positive signs from his limited practices to dictate the decision.

J.J. McCarthy will serve as the Vikings’ backup quarterback against Chicago. McCarthy was initially expected to be part of the team’s quarterback picture this season, but Wentz’s performance after Murray’s injury now gives him the opportunity to lead the offense in a divisional matchup at Soldier Field.

For Murray, the focus now shifts toward completing the recovery process without taking unnecessary risks. His limited participation earlier in the week showed that there were positive developments, but the Vikings ultimately chose the cautious route and will give their starting quarterback more time before putting him back on the field.

The Vikings are taking a cautious approach with their starting quarterback and are allowing the medical staff to guide the process. Head coach Kevin O’Connell made it clear that Minnesota is evaluating Murray one step at a time rather than making an early decision about whether he will be ready for Sunday’s game.

There is also some reason for optimism. Murray entered the season as the Vikings’ starting quarterback after winning the job, meaning he accumulated plenty of practice repetitions with the offense before the injury. That experience could be valuable if he is eventually cleared to return against Chicago.

Kevin O’Connell explains Kyler Murray’s progress

Kevin O’Connell was asked about Kyler Murray’s current status and explained that the quarterback remains in the concussion protocol. The Vikings coach emphasized that the medical team will continue to determine how the situation develops while the team evaluates Murray’s limited participation.

“He’s working through the protocol. We’ll see how he responds and continue to rely on the medical folks in that regard. The good thing is the amount of reps he got from competing and then being named the starter. He’s got a lot of reps logged away. We’re really taking it period by period as far as the plan we have, but we want to be monitoring how he’s doing from a standpoint of that limited participation. It’s a little bit more of a vague thing at the QB position just because they’re in red jerseys anyway. So, we’ll kind of just deal with it as it comes to us.”

That last point is particularly relevant because quarterback participation can be difficult to evaluate during a limited practice. With quarterbacks wearing non-contact jerseys, simply seeing Murray on the field does not necessarily reveal how close he is to being fully ready for game action.

For now, Minnesota is therefore taking a measured approach. Murray’s response to each practice session will matter, while the medical staff will ultimately determine whether he can advance through the concussion protocol.

Kyler Murray’s status for Vikings vs Bears

The Vikings still have several days to determine whether Kyler Murray can be cleared for Sunday. His limited participation has at least kept the possibility of a return open, but O’Connell’s comments show that Minnesota is not treating his practice appearance as confirmation that he will play.

The fact that Murray already has extensive repetitions with the starting offense could help the Vikings if he is cleared. He spent the offseason competing for the starting job and had already built familiarity with the offense and his teammates before the concussion interrupted his debut.

If Murray cannot return, Carson Wentz would remain the alternative after taking over against Green Bay. But for now, the Vikings are continuing to monitor their starting quarterback period by period and waiting to see how his body responds as he moves through the concussion protocol.

The Vikings quarterback was forced out of Sunday’s season opener after taking a hard hit to the head while running with the football. Murray was unable to return to the game, with Carson Wentz taking over and helping Minnesota finish the comeback victory over Green Bay.

Now, however, Murray has taken an important step in his recovery. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport explained that the quarterback’s limited participation means he still has a legitimate chance to be cleared in time for Sunday’s matchup against the Bears, assuming his progress continues.

Will Kyler Murray play for Vikings vs Bears?

Ian Rapoport emphasized that Kyler Murray’s availability will ultimately be determined by the NFL’s concussion protocol, but his return to the practice field is an encouraging development for the Vikings.

“As far as Kyler Murray goes, we will see if the Minnesota Vikings end up having their starting quarterback, but the fact that Murray was a limited participant in practice means, based on the NFL’s concussion protocol which will be the determining factor here, that he at least has a chance to play on Sunday if he continues to progress as he has been.”

That distinction is important because Murray still needs to complete the necessary steps before he can be cleared to play. The Vikings cannot simply decide to put him on the field if he has not received the required medical clearance, meaning the quarterback’s progress over the next few days will be crucial.

Still, Wednesday’s participation represents a meaningful development after Murray initially appeared likely to miss the matchup with the Bears. The Vikings have not ruled him out, and his status will continue to be monitored throughout the week.

Who is Vikings backup QB?

Kyler Murray’s potential return would be significant for Minnesota after he finally made his Vikings debut against Green Bay. His first game with the team ended after only 11 offensive snaps, leaving Carson Wentz to handle the remainder of the afternoon and giving the veteran quarterback valuable experience with the offense.

For now, Wentz remains the obvious alternative if Murray cannot complete the concussion protocol in time. But the fact that Murray was able to participate on a limited basis gives Minnesota another option heading into a difficult road matchup at Soldier Field.

For the Titans, Cam Ward is expected to play vs. Bears. The starting offense has played in both previous game to not much success. However, it’s about bonding and making chemistry stronger.

The starters will clearly play on a snap count. Hence, expect just one or two offensive series out of them. Then, the backups will likely enter the game against the Chicago Bears to finish it off.

Is Caleb Williams playing vs Titans?

On the other hand, the Bears will rest Caleb Williams and the starters for this final preseason game. The Bears are 1-1 in preseason. For the game vs. Titans, Tyson Bagent will be the quarterback if recovered. He was dealing with an injury. If Bagent can’t play, it’ll be Case Keenum and Miller Moss.

Bagent is a reliable backup and in 2026, he’s completed 13/22 passes for a 59.1% completion, 169 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His QBR rating is 79.5 during the preseason.

Joint practices between these teams were heated

There were quite a lot of heated moments during the joint practices. Namely, Titans WR Wan’Dale Robinson got hit badly which prompted a multi-man fight. Head coach Robert Saleh even condemned the play and called it cheap.

The Bears were also frustrated with Carnell Tate, who was unstoppable. However, on the other hand, Bears HC Ben Johnson was having his way with the Titans defense. His playcalling was exceptional.

However, fans will not get to see either of the quarterbacks who sit at the center of those ambitions. Caleb Williams will not play for Chicago, while Joe Burrow will also remain on the sideline for Cincinnati as both coaching staffs prioritize the regular season over preseason evaluation.

For the Bears, head coach Ben Johnson has decided not to expose Williams to unnecessary contact. The Bengals have taken an equally cautious approach with Burrow, with Zac Taylor opting to keep his franchise quarterback out of the remaining preseason games.

Why isn’t Caleb Williams playing for the Bears?

Caleb Williams’ absence is a decision made by Ben Johnson rather than a sign of a new injury concern. The Bears already know what their starting quarterback can do, and there is little benefit in putting their young star at risk in a preseason game.

Chicago’s coaching staff can instead use the matchup to evaluate the quarterbacks fighting for depth-chart positions. Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum and Miller Moss are expected to handle the quarterback duties as they continue competing for opportunities and roster spots. Bagent was sidelined during the team’s preparation for the game, which could create additional work for Keenum and Moss.

Why isn’t Joe Burrow playing for the Bengals?

Joe Burrow will also watch from the sideline, and Taylor has already made the decision that Cincinnati’s starters will not play in either of the team’s final two preseason games. That means Burrow will not see action against Chicago as the Bengals turn their attention toward preparing for the regular season.

The Bengals have plenty of reasons to be cautious with their franchise quarterback. Burrow missed much of the 2025 season after suffering a significant toe injury that required surgery, eventually returning late in the year. With Cincinnati hoping to compete for the Super Bowl, exposing him to unnecessary preseason contact would offer very little reward.

Taylor is also trying to avoid another slow start to the regular season, but that does not mean the Bengals need Burrow to play in August. The coaching staff can address timing, execution and preparation through practices while allowing the veteran quarterback to enter the regular season healthy.

Who will play quarterback for the Bears and Bengals?

With Williams unavailable, the Bears will rely on their backup options. Bagent, Keenum and Moss all have something to prove, making the game particularly important for players trying to secure their place on the final roster.

Keenum brings extensive NFL experience, while Bagent has already shown that he can operate Chicago’s offense in regular-season situations. Moss, meanwhile, is looking to make an impression as he competes for a place on the roster. Chicago’s 2026 preseason opener already showed the value of that depth, with Keenum throwing for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears’ 34-10 win over Cleveland.

Cincinnati will turn to Josh Johnson and veteran Joe Flacco. Flacco’s continued presence in the NFL remains one of the league’s more remarkable stories, and the 41-year-old quarterback continues to compete for opportunities despite having already enjoyed a lengthy career.

How to watch Bengals vs Bears in the USA

Fubo and NFL+ are the two ways to watch Bengals vs. Bears live. Fubo lists the matchup among its available NFL games, while NFL+ provides live access to preseason games, subject to applicable market and blackout restrictions.

Can I watch Bengals vs Bears for free?

Fubo offers a 5-day free trial, giving eligible new subscribers a way to watch Bengals vs. Bears without paying during the trial period. Its current plan information lists a 5-day trial, although eligibility and availability can vary by plan.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears enter Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason with identical 1-0 records. Cincinnati opened its preseason with a 16-14 victory over the Detroit Lions, while Chicago dominated the Cleveland Browns 34-10.

Although the results do not count toward the regular-season standings, Saturday’s matchup at Paycor Stadium is an important opportunity for both coaching staffs to evaluate players and refine their depth charts before the regular season.

For Cincinnati, the preseason opener provided a brief look at Joe Burrow, who played two series and completed five of his six passes before leaving the game. Joe Flacco then led the offense for a longer stretch, including a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Jack Endries. The Bengals are also continuing to assess a deep roster, particularly at wide receiver, tight end, defensive line and the secondary.

The Bears, meanwhile, are coming off a convincing win but Caleb Williams did not play in the preseason opener, as head coach Ben Johnson elected to rest a number of starters. Tyson Bagent started and was expected to play roughly a half, giving Chicago an extended look at its depth.

Williams had been throwing touchdown passes in practice before the team traveled to Cincinnati, so his potential involvement against the Bengals is one of the key storylines heading into Saturday.

What time is the Bengals vs Bears match?

The Bengals vs Bears game kicks off Saturday, August 22, at 7:00 PM ET at Paycor Stadium. For viewers across the United States, these are the corresponding local start times:

• Eastern Time: 7:00 PM
• Central Time: 6:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:00 PM

Head coach Ben Johnson shared an official update on the situation, indicating that Monangai’s availability for the Week 1 season opener is in jeopardy. Johnson declared that the 24-year-old ball carrier is considered week-to-week, according to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. “Bears head coach Ben Johnson says RB Kyle Monangai will be week-to-week,” Fishbain reported.

The club still has two more preseason games to play before the 2026-27 campaign begins, meaning Chicago will monitor Monangai every week moving forward. The running back is expected to be a key player during the regular season.

What happened to Monangai?

Bears running back Monangai recently suffered a lower-body injury during a practice session after hyperextending his right knee. Monangai is viewed as a potential breakout star for Chicago this upcoming season after showing promise during his rookie campaign. Chicago is likely to remain cautious with his physical condition for now, prioritizing his recovery ahead of the new NFL season.

The former seventh-round draft pick served as a relief option at running back last year, playing in all 17 games for the Bears with one start. He finished the season with 783 rushing yards and five touchdowns while adding 164 receiving yards on 18 receptions.

Monangai’s potential replacements

D’Andre Swift remains Chicago’s starting running back. While Monangai recovers from his injury, the Bears will likely give increased opportunities to Roschon Johnson, Britain Brown, and Salvon Ahmed during the preseason.

If Monangai is unable to suit up in Week 1, Johnson stands as the most likely option to back up Swift. Meanwhile, Ben Johnson will prepare his squad for its second preseason game. The Bears face the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, August 22.