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Caleb Williams has found himself the subject of ridicule online after further details of the worrying injury he sustained on Sunday emerged.
Williams, the Chicago Bears' franchise quarterback, went down with a non-contact injury in the fourth quarter of a 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at a wet and windy Soldier Field.
The third-year starter and former No.1 NFL Draft pick was attempting to evade a chasing defender when he pulled up in pain.
He screamed in agony and frustration as he lay on the turf and Soldier Field fell silent, suspecting a serious injury.
After being carried off by trainers not putting weight on his right leg, he was carted to the locker room with a towel over his head.
As he neared the tunnel, he removed the towel and looked visibly emotional as he dramatically gestured to the crowd by pumping his fist and giving a thumbs up.
Caleb Williams was carted off with a non-contact injury at Soldier Field on Sunday
Williams went down screaming in pain after he tried to run from a chasing defender
Williams was visibly emotional as his reaction left fans fearing the worst for his season
Head coach Ben Johnson revealed after the game that Williams, who was pictured walking out of the stadium unaided, was in 'good spirits' but more information would not be clear until Monday.
On Monday, he gave a far more positive update, though Williams still faces being sidelined for some time with backup Tyson Bagent lined up to replace him.
ESPN 100 Chicago on Monday, head coach Ben Johnson noted that Williams is likely to be sidelined for a bit.
'It sounds like it's going to be a week-to-week deal for him,' Johnson said.
'I've got to still talk with our trainer. We'll do that here shortly and I'll have the lowdown from him. But it sounds like it's week-to-week, but will likely miss some time.'
He admitted they had 'potentially' dodged a bullet with Williams' injury after initial fears from those watching that it would be severe.
'You know, we'll see,' Johnson said. 'He's tough and he comes back from these types of things, I think, better than the average human being. So, we'll see.'
After the positive update emerged, Williams has faced massive ridicule online for his reaction.
Footage of Williams saluting the crowd as he was carted off has been ruthlessly mocked online
Bears head coach Ben Johnson provided a positive update on his star quarterback on Monday
The clip of him being carted to the locker room gesturing the Bears fans has flooded social media with a host of amusing captions likening it to minor painful day-to-day incidents, such as: 'just accidentally bit the inside of my cheek' and 'Hit my funny bone on the kitchen counter'.
Others joked: 'Banged my knee on the desk trying to sit down' or 'When u stub your toe on the corner of the bed' while others compared it to 'when you get a papercut'.
Despite the online response, the news is a major boost to a Bears team with big aspirations after last year's impressive run with Williams at quarterback.
The Bears, now 1-1 after Sunday's loss having put up 59 points to beat the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football next week.
They then host the Jets and travel to the Packers and Falcons before a Thursday Night Football game against the New England Patriots in Week 7 on October 22, leading into an 11-day turnaround before facing the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football on November 2.
