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The Chicago Bears got much better news than expected with Caleb Williams’ hamstring injury, but the franchise quarterback is still going to miss playing time.
Bears fans, though, might not be seeing the usual backup, Tyson Bagent, in Week 3.
Bagent is in the NFL’s concussion protocol, according to NFL Network, leaving doubts about his availability on "Monday Night Football" against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Williams also wasn’t entirely ruled out by head coach Ben Johnson, but in the likelihood he won’t be available, mixed with Bagent potentially not clearing protocol in time, the Bears would be forced to go to their third-string quarterback.
That’s veteran Case Keenum, who would be making his first start in the NFL since 2023 if he is called upon to do so.
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Bagent was the one who entered the game for the Bears at the very end of a rainy 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in their home opener following Williams' injury. He was sacked on the final play of the game by Dallas Turner to end a potential game-winning touchdown throw.
Now, it’s unclear when Bagent suffered his concussion, though it could’ve come on the final play when he hit the ground hard on the Turner sack.
Bagent, the undrafted quarterback who proved himself his rookie 2023 season after going 2-2 in starts, has been the team’s backup since Williams was drafted first overall in 2024. He hasn’t had to start a game with Williams playing all 17 the past two years.
Again, Williams hasn’t been ruled out, but Johnson did consider him week-to-week during his initial news conference ahead of the Bears’ primetime matchup against an NFC foe.
"He’s right now working through every avenue that he’s got available to get back on track here," Johnson told reporters. "We’ll see what that looks like."
Bagent finished Sunday’s loss 5-for-9 passing for 54 yards, but it will be interesting to see how much he’s allowed to prepare as the potential starter this week having to go through the protocol stages.
Keenum has 66 starts in his 80 games played across his career in the league, but he hasn’t seen regular-season NFL action since 2023 while with the Houston Texans. He went 1-1 in two starts that year, while his previous games were with the Cleveland Browns in a 2-0 stint in 2021.
If he plays, the Bears would mark the eighth team Keenum has played for in his NFL career.
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