Image credit: Joe Glorioso / All-Pro Reels, via Flickr, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Edited by American Hip Institute.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams suffered a right hamstring injury during the Bears' 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The severity of the injury is not yet known.
According to ESPN, Williams left the game in the fourth quarter after going down awkwardly while running to his left on a bootleg near the end zone. At this point, there is not enough information to determine whether Williams has a mild hamstring strain, a partial tear, or a more significant injury.
What is a hamstring injury?
A hamstring injury affects one or more of the muscles or tendons along the back of the thigh. The hamstrings help with running, sprinting, jumping, changing direction, bending the knee, and extending the hip.
For football players, the hamstrings are especially important because they are repeatedly loaded during sprinting, acceleration, deceleration, and explosive movements.
A hamstring strain occurs when the muscle is overstretched or damaged. Injuries can range from a mild strain to a significant muscle or tendon tear.
How serious is a hamstring strain?
Hamstring injuries are generally categorized by severity:
- Grade 1: Mild injury with limited tissue damage. Recovery may take a few weeks.
- Grade 2: Partial muscle tear with more significant pain and weakness. Recovery may take several weeks or longer.
- Grade 3: Severe or complete tear that can require months of recovery. Certain tendon injuries may require surgery.
How long does a hamstring injury take to heal?
Hamstring injury recovery time depends on the location and severity of the injury.
A mild strain may heal within a few weeks. A moderate tear can require several weeks to a few months, while severe muscle or tendon injuries can take several months or longer.
For an NFL athlete, returning to play also requires the hamstrings be strong enough to tolerate sprinting, cutting, acceleration, and other high-demand movements.
Why should you see a hip surgeon or sports medicine specialist for a hamstring injury?
The hamstring muscles originate near the pelvis and hip, and pain in the back of the thigh can sometimes overlap with other hip and pelvic conditions.
For this reason, athletes with significant, persistent, or recurrent hamstring pain may benefit from evaluation by an orthopedic hip surgeon or sports medicine specialist who regularly treats athletic hip and hamstring injuries.
A specialist can help determine whether the problem is a simple muscle strain or whether the injury involves the hamstring tendon, hip, pelvis, or another structure.
An evaluation may include a physical examination and, when appropriate, imaging such as x-rays or an MRI to determine the location and extent of the injury.
What does recovery look like?
Most hamstring strains are treated without surgery. Treatment may include activity modification, physical therapy, mobility work, and progressive strengthening.
Return to sports typically progresses gradually:
Walking → jogging → faster running → sprinting → sport-specific activity → full practice → competition
The athlete should demonstrate adequate strength and function before returning to high-speed sports.
What we know about Caleb Williams' injury
As of September 21, 2026:
- Injury: Right hamstring injury
- Date: September 20, 2026
- Team: Chicago Bears
- Opponent: Minnesota Vikings
- Severity: Not yet publicly established
- Next step: Further testing to determine the severity
Until those results are available, it is too early to predict how long Williams will be out.
The bottom line
Caleb Williams' hamstring injury could have a recovery timeline ranging from weeks to several months depending on its severity and location. Further testing should provide more information about the injury and his expected recovery.
For athletes with a hamstring injury, getting the diagnosis right is an important first step. An orthopedic hip surgeon or sports medicine specialist with experience treating athletic hip and hamstring conditions can help identify the source of the pain, determine the extent of the injury, and develop an appropriate treatment and return-to-sport plan.