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Vikings Beat Bears 9-3 as Caleb Williams Injured

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 2:40 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Caleb Williams Injured

Caleb Williams left with a right hamstring injury after grabbing his leg near the 6-yard line.
He finished 15-of-26 for 138 yards, one interception, and 42 rushing yards on five carries.
Coach Ben Johnson said Williams was in good spirits and will have an MRI Monday.
Tyson Bagent completed 5 of 9 passes for 54 yards after replacing Williams.
The Vikings defeated the Bears 9-3.

Summary

Dan Quinn Defends

Coach Dan Quinn defended the aggressive play call despite the team trailing, saying it was needed to challenge Dallas’s defense.
Quinn said X-rays showed no fracture in Daniels’s left elbow and ordered additional imaging on Monday.
Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota entered, completing 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown.
The Commanders will rely on Mariota as Daniels recovers, aiming to improve play-calling in upcoming games.

History

Historical Context

When Tom Brady’s ACL tear forced the Patriots to start backup Matt Cassel in 2008, Cassel delivered 3,600 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and an 11-5 record, proving a second-string quarterback can keep a team playoff-bound. The Vikings’ reliance on Tyson Bagent and the Commanders’ turn to Marcus Mariota echo that same depth-chart shift in today’s NFL.

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Caleb Williams Injured

Caleb Williams left with a right hamstring injury after grabbing his leg near the 6-yard line.
He finished 15-of-26 for 138 yards, one interception, and 42 rushing yards on five carries.
Coach Ben Johnson said Williams was in good spirits and will have an MRI Monday.
Tyson Bagent completed 5 of 9 passes for 54 yards after replacing Williams.
The Vikings defeated the Bears 9-3.

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