The happiness after the historic 31-27 Wild Card victory the Chicago Bears obtained over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday was tempered by a sight no one wanted to see: Caleb Williams abandining the field.
As now the Bears gear up for the Divisional Round, the main issue has shifted from the scoreboard to the medical room. Here we bring you the latest update on Caleb Williams’ injury and what the experts are saying about his future availability moving forward.
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What happened in the game?
Everything took place during a key fourth-quarter drive. According to reports from EssentiallySports, Williams was seen noticeably limping after a play where he was forced to scramble under heavy pressure. While he showed immense grit by finishing the game and leading the Bears to an epic comeback win, his mobility appeared to be compromised in the last minutes of the matchup.
Some post-game footage captured Williams moving gingerly toward the locker room, sparking immediate concern across social media. While the Bears’ medical staff has not released a formal diagnosis yet, the visual evidence suggests a significant ankle injury. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported the player appeared to loosen up as he stood on the sideline.
“Caleb Williams looks visibly frustrated on the bench. He’s talking to Case Keenum while Tyson Bagent has a tablet in hand to the left of the other QBs.”
The expert view on the ankle issues
To understand the severity of the situation, NFL injury expert Dr. David J. Chao explained that the QB likely suffered a right inversion ankle sprain on the play. Now, when a player like Williams suffers an ankle injury, the consequences are hard.
His power and speed will be influenced, as an unstable ankle can lead to failing passes or a lack of zip on deep balls. Given that Williams’ greatest strength is his ability to extend plays, even a minor lateral sprain can cost him miliseconds that could define any aspect of the game.
The experts suggest the team is likely evaluating him for a high-ankle sprain or a lateral sprain. A high-ankle sprain would be the more concerning diagnosis, as it typically requires a multi-week recovery period that could overlap with Bears’ playoff run.
The Bears have great backups in place, but as Saturday proved, there is only one Caleb Williams. The next 48 hours will be crucial to determine if he can lead the Bears back into the fray or if he will be forced to watch from the sidelines.