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CHICAGO – Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent was cleared to take part in practice Saturday, coach Ben Johnson said, but is still in the league’s concussion protocol.
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Johnson added that Bagent has emerged as a possible starter or backup option when the Bears host the Philadelphia Eagles on “Monday Night Football.”
“We’re going to finish out the week, just like our plan to start the week, and then we’ll make a decision,” Johnson said.
Starting quarterback Caleb Williams, who’s week-to-week with a hamstring injury, will be held out of practice, Johnson said.
Bagent returned to Halas Hall on Friday and was present for team meetings but didn’t practice. His participation in a full-contact practice Saturday is part of the league’s five-step return-to-play process.
According to NFL rules, a team physician and an independent neurological consultant must separately evaluate Bagent and sign off on his clearance from protocol and readiness for full contact before he can return to game action.
Bagent is the Bears’ No. 2 QB, and Johnson conceded that will be a factor in choosing Bagent or 15th-year veteran Case Keenum to be the starter Monday.
“There’s a different skill set, obviously,” Johnson said. “One guy’s a little bit more mobile than the other, and yet both are very cerebral players. I know they’ll be mentally prepared for the game, and we’ll see what it looks like.
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“But there’s a reason why Tyson was the backup as we ended camp, and we felt good about who he is as a player and what he can bring to the table to this offense. And so, (I) would be excited to get him out there as well. We’ve got a lot of good choices. We’ll come together as a staff and make sure we’re on the same page.”
Bagent came in for Williams in the fourth quarter of a 9-3 loss in Week 2 to the Minnesota Vikings after Williams pulled up on a scramble and crumpled to the ground, grabbing his hamstring.
Bagent completed 5 of 9 passes for 54 yards and was sacked on the final play of the loss. He also suffered a concussion during the game, but the Bears couldn’t say which hit caused it.
The 26-year-old has started four games and played in 13 total since 2023, completing 104 of 158 attempts for 971 yards with a 65.8% completion rate. He has thrown three touchdowns and six interceptions, all during his rookie year.
Keenum, 38, started back-to-back games for the Houston Texans in 2023, his last time filling that role.
He has started 66 of 80 games, throwing for 15,175 yards with a 52.3% completion rate. He has 79 touchdowns and 51 interceptions in his career.
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This story was originally published September 26, 2026 at 1:31 PM.