Case Keenum to start as Bears clear Basset, Williams out with hamstring

Case Keenum to start as Bears clear Basset, Williams out with hamstring

NBC Sports reported on September 27 that Tyson Basset was cleared of concussion symptoms but will stay as the backup quarterback, with veteran Case Keenum slated to start for Chicago against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears had been dealing with a quarterback crisis after Caleb Williams suffered a right hamstring injury on September 20.

Coach Ben Johnson listed Williams as week-to-week, and a subsequent MRI confirmed a Grade 2 strain that could sideline him for three to four weeks. Earlier in the week, backup Tyson Bagent was placed in concussion protocol, prompting the promotion of Keenum, and the team practiced without both quarterbacks ahead of the Night Football matchup.

Actors

Caleb Williams Chicago Bears Minnesota Vikings Tyson Bagent Cairo Santos Aaron Jones

Locations

Chicago, Illinois, United States Minnesota, United States

Articles

September 27, 2026
3 total
Case Keenum to start for the Eagles game as Tyson Bagent cleared but remains backup
Case Keenum to start for the Eagles game as Tyson Bagent cleared but remains backup

NBC Sports • 27 Sep 16:34

Tyson Basset has been cleared of concussion symptoms but will not start, with veteran quarterback Case Keenum slated to lead the team against the Eagles.

Credibility 68% Manip. 8% Center
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams sidelined 3-4 weeks with hamstring strain
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams sidelined 3-4 weeks with hamstring strain

CBS Sports • 27 Sep 13:47

Caleb Williams has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain that is expected to keep him out for three to four weeks, causing him to miss the upcoming Monday Night Football game against the Eagles.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
Bears confirm quarterback Caleb Williams has Grade 2 hamstring strain
Bears confirm quarterback Caleb Williams has Grade 2 hamstring strain

NBC Sports • 27 Sep 13:14

Caleb Williams is diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring injury that could sideline him for three to four weeks, and the Bears have named Tyson Bagent as his replacement.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
September 25, 2026
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Bears practice without Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent ahead of Monday night game
Bears practice without Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent ahead of Monday night game

NBC Sports • 25 Sep 19:59

Chicago Bears held a practice on Friday without quarterback Caleb Williams and backup Tyson Bagent, while other players dealt with injuries or limited participation.

Credibility 68% Manip. 8% Center
September 23, 2026
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Bears undecided on starting quarterback for Monday night game
Bears undecided on starting quarterback for Monday night game

NBC Sports • 23 Sep 17:33

Injuries to Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent leave the Chicago Bears uncertain about their Week 3 starter, with veteran Case Keenum practicing as a possible option.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
September 22, 2026
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Maxx Crosby defends Caleb Williams after hamstring injury reaction
Maxx Crosby defends Caleb Williams after hamstring injury reaction

Yahoo Sports • 22 Sep 18:54

Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby said quarterback Caleb Williams' visible distress after a non-contact hamstring injury was understandable, and expressed confidence in his recovery.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
Bears place backup QB Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol, promoting Case Keenum to starter for Week 3
Bears place backup QB Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol, promoting Case Keenum to starter for Week 3

NBC Sports • 22 Sep 18:24

Chicago's backup quarterback Tyson Bagent was diagnosed with a concussion, moving veteran Case Keenum into the starting role for the upcoming game against Philadelphia.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
September 21, 2026
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Bears quarterback Caleb Williams listed as week-to-week after hamstring strain
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams listed as week-to-week after hamstring strain

Fox News • 21 Sep 20:38

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams suffered a right hamstring injury in the loss to Minnesota and will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis, coach Ben Johnson said.

Credibility 66% Manip. 12% Center
Caleb Williams Expected to Play Week 3 After Hamstring Issue
Caleb Williams Expected to Play Week 3 After Hamstring Issue

Bleacher Report • 21 Sep 20:10

Quarterback Caleb Williams was carted off with a hamstring injury in the Bears' loss to Minnesota but is not ruled out for the upcoming game against Philadelphia.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams listed as week-to-week after MRI shows no major hamstring damage
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams listed as week-to-week after MRI shows no major hamstring damage

NBC 5 Chicago • 21 Sep 16:48

Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson said quarterback Caleb Williams is classified as week-to-week following an MRI that indicated his hamstring injury is not severe, leaving his availability for the upcoming game uncertain.

Credibility 68% Manip. 10% Center
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams cleared to play in Week 3 after hamstring scare
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams cleared to play in Week 3 after hamstring scare

NBC Sports • 21 Sep 16:05

Caleb Williams did not sustain a major hamstring injury and is expected to be available for the Bears' Week 3 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Credibility 71% Manip. 7% Center
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams carted off with hamstring injury
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams carted off with hamstring injury

ProFootballRumors.com • 21 Sep 05:30

Caleb Williams left the Bears' Week 2 loss to the Vikings with a suspected hamstring strain and will undergo imaging on Monday, while backup quarterback Tyson Bagent is expected to start the next game.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams ruled out with hamstring injury after loss to Vikings
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams ruled out with hamstring injury after loss to Vikings

Bleacher Report • 21 Sep 01:46

Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s game against Minnesota and will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity.

Credibility 68% Manip. 12% Center
September 20, 2026
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Caleb Williams exits Bears game with hamstring injury as Vikings win 9-3
Caleb Williams exits Bears game with hamstring injury as Vikings win 9-3

NBC News • 20 Sep 20:53

Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams left the fourth quarter with a right-leg injury, and the Bears fell to Minnesota 9-3.

Credibility 78% Manip. 5% Center
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams leaves game with hamstring injury
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams leaves game with hamstring injury

ESPN • 20 Sep 19:52

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was carted off the field in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings after sustaining a right hamstring injury.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams exits game with leg injury
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams exits game with leg injury

NBC Sports • 20 Sep 19:43

Caleb Williams left the fourth quarter of the Bears' game against the Vikings after sustaining a non-contact leg injury, and was taken to the locker room on a cart.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center