Case Keenum will start for Bears against Eagles despite Bagent clearance

Case Keenum is expected to start for Chicago against Philadelphia on Monday night even after Tyson Bagent cleared the NFL concussion protocol, FOX Sports reported Sunday. Caleb Williams has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury. The choice, as reported by FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer, gives the Bears a quarterback who handled most of the week's preparation while Bagent worked through the protocol. It is a reported starting plan, not a final game-day lineup.

The Bears' Saturday injury update had left Bagent or Keenum as the two possibilities. Williams did not practice during the week. Bagent, who was hurt after replacing Williams in the fourth quarter against Minnesota, returned to limited football work Saturday and was listed as questionable. Chicago announced Sunday that he has since cleared the protocol and has no game-status designation, according to an Associated Press report carried by FOX. FOX says he is expected to serve as Keenum's backup.

Keenum has not started a regular-season game since 2023. He led the first-team offense during the Bears' preparation while the other two quarterbacks were limited, the club reported Friday. That gives a practical reason for keeping the veteran with the installed plan even though Bagent's medical status improved. It does not establish who will start after this week; Williams' hamstring and any new practice work will determine later decisions.

Philadelphia's preparation has included both backup options. In the Eagles' own game preview, the quarterback uncertainty sat alongside a test for the Eagles' run defense. Chicago can still build the offense around D'Andre Swift and its tight ends, but the passing-game choices will look different without Williams. Philadelphia is 2-0; Chicago is 1-1 entering Week 3.

The game is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Eastern Monday at Soldier Field. Chicago's official inactive list and opening snap will settle the remaining lineup question. Until then, Keenum's start should be attributed to FOX's report, while Bagent's clearance is a medical availability update, not a starting assignment.