Crosby Backs Williams Over Visible Pain From Hamstring Injury

The Raiders pass rusher pushed back on critics who questioned Caleb Williams' emotional reaction to a non-contact hamstring injury Sunday.

Caleb Williams left Chicago's Sunday game in visible distress after hurting his hamstring without contact in the fourth quarter. Broadcast cameras caught him yelling in pain, and he covered his head with a towel while being carted toward the tunnel, leading many to fear a far more serious diagnosis.

The team announced Monday that the injury is minor and did not rule Williams out for Week 3, prompting some to question his toughness. Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby, 29, defended the quarterback on his podcast, explaining that a hamstring injury can be alarming when it first happens. Crosby, drawing on a past hamstring issue of his own, said a player in that moment fears something serious has occurred, and he closed by expressing support and confidence that Williams would recover.

Williams has appeared in every game of his NFL career, a streak maintained even while absorbing a league-high 68 sacks as a rookie. Head coach Ben Johnson said he expects Williams to miss some time, and the situation is complicated by backup Tyson Bagent's concussion, which also puts his Week 3 status in doubt.

If neither quarterback is available, veteran Case Keenum would start against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Monday night kickoff gives both Williams and Bagent an additional day to recover.