Chicago Bears v Carolina Panthers
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The Chicago Bears had few details to share about the knee injury that forced them to cart off veteran tight end Cole Kmet during Week 7’s win over the New England Patriots, but what they did say set a grim tone about his outlook.
Kmet sustained a right knee injury after making an 8-yard reception late in the fourth quarter of the Bears’ win over the Patriots on Thursday Night Football and left the field on a medical cart with a full brace on his leg, flashing a thumbs-up as he exited.
Afterward, Bears head coach Ben Johnson said he did not yet know the extent of Kmet’s injury, but he seemed to suggest that the 27-year-old could miss significant time.
“We’ll know a little more tomorrow, but I don’t think it looks very good,” Johnson told reporters on Thursday night’s postgame.
Caleb Williams Vows to Help Cole Kmet Through Injury
New England Patriots v Chicago Bears
GettyCole Kmet was carted off the field in the fourth quarter of Week 7’s win.
If Kmet misses significant time, it would be a major blow for the Bears offense.
While former first-round pick Colston Loveland has largely taken over as the Bears’ primary pass-catching tight end in Johnson’s offense, Kmet remains a core component in a Chicago offense that leans heavily on two- and three-tight end looks to run the ball.
According to Pro Football Focus, no tight end in the NFL had played more blocking snaps than Kmet (197) through the first six weeks of the season coming into Week 7.
Beyond his on-field value, Kmet is also one of the most beloved players in the Bears’ locker room as a veteran leader, adding to the sting of his injury — as starting quarterback Caleb Williams highlighted when talking about him during Thursday’s postgame.
“I don’t have the words to describe what Cole is to me, what Cole is to this team and this organization,” Williams said after the 30-24 win. “He is the longest-tenured Bear, I believe. He’s been through it. And it’s challenging. It’s tough. And I’ll be right there with him through every step of whatever the injury is.
“I mean, Cole has been there for me every step of the way — through the first year, through the second year and now through this year. I could only do the same for him.”
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Jordan J. Wilson is a sports reporter who covers the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. He has previously covered all levels of sports — high school, college and pro — for a variety of publications including The Indianapolis Star, The News-Gazette, Springfield State-Journal Register and Peoria Journal Star. More about Jordan J. Wilson