Bears Fear Cole Kmet Injury After Carting Him Off Field Against Patriots

WHO:

ABC7 Chicago - Cole Kmet is 27 years old and in his seventh season with the Bears; he attended St. Viator High School and is a Chicago-area native.

ABC7 Chicago - Kmet ranks second to Mike Ditka among Bears tight ends in receptions and receiving yards.

ABC7 Chicago - Kmet’s high school coach, Dave Archibald, said he expected Kmet to remain a strong teammate during recovery.

ABC7 Chicago - Bears fans Gustavo Baptista Defaria, Vishal Shah and Mendkhuu Enkhbayar commented on Kmet’s injury and the team’s outlook.

CBS Sports - Colston Loveland drew increased attention after Cole Kmet’s injury; the tight end received a season-high 12 targets against New England, catching seven for 69 yards and a touchdown.

CBS Sports - Kmet was the Bears’ No. 43 overall draft pick out of Notre Dame.

Chicago Sun-Times - Coach Ben Johnson said Cole Kmet “is Chicago” and “a big part of our heartbeat,” adding, “He’s going to be sorely missed.”

Chicago Sun-Times - Quarterback Caleb Williams said Kmet was “the longest-tenured Bear” and pledged to support him through the injury.

Chicago Sun-Times - Rookie tight end Sam Roush is expected to get more playing time; the Bears may promote Stephen Carlson or Qadir Ismail from the practice squad.

Chicago Sun-Times - Defensive end Montez Sweat returned to the Bears after a two-game drug suspension.

Heavy NFL - Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet was injured.

Pro Football Network - Robert Griffin III and NFL reporters expressed concern about Kmet’s injury.

WHAT:

ABC7 Chicago - The Bears are 5-2, while the Minnesota Vikings lead the NFC North at 5-0.

NBC Sports - Luther Burden had a 58-yard catch-and-run in the first quarter, then caught a 24-yard touchdown late in the second quarter, finishing with more than 100 receiving yards.

NBC Sports - Burden’s touchdown came on a quick screen on third-and-17 with 14 seconds left before halftime.

CBS Sports - Kmet was injured after catching a pass in the right flat and being hit by Robert Spillane and Christian Gonzalez; he grabbed his right knee after going down.

CBS Sports - Kmet had one touchdown this season.

CBS Sports - Loveland scored touchdowns in consecutive games after not scoring in the first five games.

CBS Sports - Rookie Sam Roush had three catches for 33 yards this season.

Chicago Sun-Times - Testing confirmed Kmet will miss the rest of the season with a right knee injury.

Chicago Sun-Times - Kmet had 10 catches for 87 yards this season and was a reliable blocking tight end for the league’s best rushing attack.

Chicago Sun-Times - Kmet is signed through next year, with a $15.4 million salary-cap hit and a $5.4 million dead-cap charge.

Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears placed Kmet on injured reserve and filled the roster spot with Sweat.

Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears had seven sacks during Sweat’s absence, compared with 11 in five games with him.

NY Post - Cole Kmet recorded three catches for 28 yards against the Patriots.

Heavy NFL - The Bears gave a “grim update” on Kmet after he was carted off the field with a knee injury.

Pro Football Network - Kmet exited the game with a knee injury and was carted off. Griffin III and others reacted with concern, including the phrases “Prayers Up for Cole Kmet” and “Brutal.”

Heavy NFL - The Bears won against the Patriots.

WHERE:

ABC7 Chicago - Fans discussed the injury at Weather Mark Tavern in Chicago’s South Loop.

CBS Sports - The Bears are scheduled to play the Seahawks in Seattle.

Heavy NFL - Kmet was carted off the field during the Bears’ game against the Patriots.

Pro Football Network - Kmet exited the Bears’ game against the Patriots.

WHEN:

CBS Sports - The Bears’ next game is scheduled for “Monday Night Football” Nov. 2.

WHY:

Heavy NFL - Kmet was carted off because of a knee injury.

HOW:

ABC7 Chicago - The Bears had not disclosed the specific nature of Kmet’s knee injury.

CBS Sports - Kmet was injured late in the fourth quarter while turning upfield after catching a Caleb Williams pass.

Chicago Sun-Times - Ben Johnson said Kmet’s absence would not substantially change the offense; he said the team could use swing tackle Ozzy Trapilo as a third tight end in “Jumbo” packages.

Heavy NFL - Kmet was taken off the field in a cart.

Pro Football Network - Kmet exited the game and was carted off the field.

The Chicago Bears will be without tight end Cole Kmet for the rest of the season after tests confirmed a right knee injury. He was hurt late in the game against New England, then carted off the field; Chicago went on to win. Kmet had 10 catches for 87 yards this season and was a key blocker for the league’s top rushing attack. Coach Ben Johnson called him “a big part of our heartbeat,” while quarterback Caleb Williams pledged to support the longtime Bear through his recovery. Colston Loveland stepped up against the Patriots, catching seven passes for 69 yards and a touchdown on a season-high 12 targets. Rookie Sam Roush could also see more playing time, and the Bears may bring up another tight end from the practice squad. Chicago is 5-2 and next plays Seattle on Monday Night Football, Nov. 2.