Caleb Williams’ hamstring injury isn’t the only nightmare brewing for the Chicago Bears as they limp toward their Week 3 clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport dropped a bombshell Tuesday: backup quarterback Tyson Bagent is now in the NFL’s concussion protocol. This is a massive hit to an already struggling squad, leaving third-string veteran Case Keenum as the likely man under center for Monday’s game. Talk about an unexpected turn!
Double Whammy for Chicago’s Offense
Williams, the starter everyone was watching, went down with his hamstring issue during Sunday’s tough loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Bagent came into that game in the fourth quarter with the team already trailing, and man, it was a rough spot to be thrown into. He had a chance to snatch a win, but the offense just stalled out, ending with a blocked field goal on his first possession. Later, in the final seconds of that 9-3 loss, he marched them into the red zone needing six points, only to turn the ball over on downs. You gotta feel for the kid; rainy conditions, divisional showdown, coming in cold. The plan was probably to get him a full week of prep with head coach Ben Johnson to get ready for the Eagles. But now, all those plans are clearly on hold with him stuck in concussion protocol. The Bears’ quarterback room is looking tenuous at best right now.
Keenum’s Unexpected Call-Up
So, who’s left? Case Keenum. The dude’s a seasoned veteran with 66 career starts under his belt, bouncing around from the Houston Texans to the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, Vikings, Denver Broncos, Washington, Cleveland Browns, and Buffalo Bills. That’s a lot of mileage! But here’s the kicker: he hasn’t started a game since the 2023 campaign, where he went 1-1. Nobody in Chicago expected him to be starting against a playoff contender like the Eagles heading into this season. It’s a brutal spot to put him in, especially with Williams “likely” out for the game, as Rapoport reported, even though Coach Johnson is calling him “week-to-week.” If both Williams and Bagent are sidelined, the Bears are staring down one heck of an uphill battle this Monday night.
The long-term health of this season for Chicago really hangs on Williams’ return, but for now, the focus is squarely on getting Keenum ready. This Eagles game is gonna be a true test of their depth and resilience. It’s gonna be a wild ride to see how they respond.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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