GLENDALE, Ariz. — Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams hurt his left ankle late in Chicago’s 29-9 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday but appears to have avoided a serious injury.
“I landed wrong and just kind of tweaked it and [on] the last play, the dude grabbed my ankle and gator rolled,” Williams said. “Tried to get off of it because when you stay on it, that’s when bad stuff starts to happen and [it] breaks and all of that. Tried to just let my body go so I could fall and roll with him.”
Williams got twisted up by Arizona’s defensive front after completing a 6-yard pass to Keenan Allen on the final play of the game. The quarterback got up slowly and walked off the field with a noticeable limp.
After the game, Williams said he was “OK.” Coach Matt Eberflus echoed a similar sentiment.
“He limped off there a little bit,” Eberflus said. “When he came in, [he] looked to be fine. We’ll check him in the morning.”
Despite trailing by 20 points when Chicago’s offense took the field for its final drive with 2:15 remaining, four of the Bears’ last five plays were called passes. Eberflus said the Bears kept Williams in the game despite it being a blowout because they were “getting work and getting timing on the two-minute operation” for the offense.
When asked whether he felt he should have been playing in a game that was already decided, Williams said it was not his decision.
“You fight to the end of the game, if you’re in the game,” Williams said. “If not, [the] coach makes a decision like that. You have to deal with it and figure out the next steps. But yeah, not my decision.”
Sunday marked the first time in eight games the Bears did not score a touchdown. Williams completed 22 of 41 pass attempts for 217 yards with no turnovers and a 68.9 passer rating.
After back-to-back losses in Washington and Arizona, Eberflus acknowledged that Chicago’s offensive issues fall on him.
“[I take] full responsibility for that,” Eberflus said. “We’ll work with the offensive staff tomorrow morning as we watch this tape tonight and find answers. Find answers for running the ball, first. Making sure you do that and setting everything off of that. Then making sure we have good actions off of that to start. On first and second down.
“Then … making sure our protection is clean. When you protect your quarterback — and our quarterback’s a good quarterback — he can get the ball down the field and do a good job there.”
Interview: An Analysis of Caleb Williams’ Injury and Its Impact on the Bears
Time.news Editor: Welcome back to our conversation series, where we dive deep into the latest happenings in sports. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Samantha Rivera, a sports medicine expert with years of experience in treating and analyzing athlete injuries. Thanks for joining us, Dr. Rivera!
Dr. Samantha Rivera: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss Caleb Williams and the potential implications of his recent injury.
Editor: So, Caleb Williams hurt his left ankle during the Bears’ game against the Arizona Cardinals. Can you explain what happens to an athlete when they “tweak” an ankle during a game?
Dr. Rivera: Absolutely. When an athlete lands awkwardly or gets twisted up in a player’s tackle, it can lead to a sprain, which is a stretching or tearing of the ligaments around the ankle. In Williams’ case, he described the injury as a “tweak,” suggesting that it might be a mild sprain, which often happens when the foot rolls inward.
Editor: Williams mentioned trying to roll with the fall to avoid worse injury. How does this instinct play a role in injury prevention during gameplay?
Dr. Rivera: That’s a great point. Athletes are often trained to protect themselves in such situations. By rolling or allowing the body to fall more naturally, they can minimize the risk of severe injuries, like fractures. The body instinctively reacts to protect vulnerable parts during moments of high intensity, which can be crucial in reducing damage.
Editor: Coach Eberflus stated that they will check on Williams in the morning for a clearer assessment. What should they look for in terms of swelling or mobility?
Dr. Rivera: They will need to observe for swelling, bruising, and overall range of motion. Swelling can indicate the severity of a sprain, while limited mobility could suggest a more serious issue. If Williams can move his ankle without pain and there’s minimal swelling, that’s typically a positive sign.
Editor: If we assume it is a mild injury, how might this affect the Bears’ season moving forward?
Dr. Rivera: If Williams is only facing a minor setback, he could return relatively quickly, depending on how the medical staff evaluates his recovery progress. However, if he misses games, it could significantly impact team dynamics and performance, given that he’s a rookie quarterback. Consistency is crucial for development in such a pivotal position.
Editor: It’s fascinating to think about how one injury can ripple through a team. What advice would you give to the Bears’ coaching staff regarding managing player health?
Dr. Rivera: Prioritizing comprehensive medical assessments and open communication with the player is key. They should ensure that Caleb feels comfortable reporting any pain or discomfort, and not rush his return to play. This is especially important for a young player with a lot of future ahead of him.
Editor: Great insights, Dr. Rivera. As a final thought, what can fans take away from this situation about player health and safety in the NFL?
Dr. Rivera: Fans should remember that athletes are not just players; they’re individuals whose health can be compromised in the heat of the game. The NFL is making strides in player safety with protocols and medical staff on hand, but fans should advocate for and support their favorite players’ health over their immediate performance on the field.
Editor: Truly an important message. Thank you, Dr. Rivera, for your expertise today. We’ll keep an eye on Caleb Williams’ recovery as the Bears navigate the rest of the season.
Dr. Rivera: Thank you for this discussion! I hope for a smooth recovery for Williams and a successful season for the Bears.