Bears QB Caleb Williams returns from hamstring injury, then draws NFL cleat fines
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams missed Weeks 3-5 with a hamstring injury and returned in Week 6.
Chicago went 2-1 without him, and he has since drawn two cleat fines.
Background
Caleb Williams is the Chicago Bears' starting quarterback, and Ben Johnson is the team's head coach. Williams hurt his hamstring in the fourth quarter of the Bears' Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and the team called him week to week after an MRI (a scan to assess the damage). He sat out three games while Tyson Bagent, No. 2 on the depth chart, and veteran Case Keenum filled in; since returning in Week 6 he became the first Bears quarterback since Mitchell Trubisky in 2018 to post back-to-back 300-yard passing games.
How it unfolded
- Sep 20, 2026Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of the Bears' Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
- Sep 21, 2026Head coach Ben Johnson said on ESPN 1000 that after an MRI the team believes Williams will be "week to week."
- Sep 27, 2026The Bears ruled Williams out of the Monday night game against the Eagles; Tyson Bagent cleared concussion protocol and Case Keenum was to start if needed.
- Oct 2, 2026Williams did not practice Friday and was ruled out of Sunday's game against the Jets, the second contest he missed.
- Oct 14, 2026Williams was set to be a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough ahead of Week 6 against the Falcons, per Ben Johnson.
- Oct 18, 2026Williams returned to action against the Atlanta Falcons.
- Oct 29, 2026ESPN reported the NFL fined Williams $23,882 for wearing Caddix cleats in Week 7, double the $11,941 fine for the same shoe in Week 6.
- Nov 1, 2026Patriots defensive end Gabe Jacas was fined for a late hit on Williams.
- Nov 2, 2026According to On SI's Jason La Canfora, the Ravens called the Bears to inquire about quarterback Tyson Bagent after Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley were injured in Week 8.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Ben Johnson called the injury report "somewhat encouraging" and said the quarterback plan was "still fluid, but I feel good about the plan that we have in place."
- Support
- Caleb Williams said his Caddix cleats are "smart cleats... science cleats" that have been working for him and that other players in the league wear them.