Bears lose TE Cole Kmet for the season with knee injury
Chicago Sun-Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Bears tight end Cole Kmet will miss the remainder of the season due to a right knee injury sustained during Thursday night’s game against the Patriots, a significant loss for the team given his role as a key blocker and veteran presence.
- Coach Ben Johnson praised Kmet as a central figure to the Bears’ offense and culture, emphasizing the challenge of replacing his consistent high-level performance.
- To compensate, the Bears plan to increase playing time for rookie tight end Sam Roush and potentially promote Stephen Carlson or Qadir Ismail from the practice squad, with creative lineup adjustments including using swing tackle Ozzy Trapilo in jumbo packages.
- Kmet, drafted in 2020, has been a reliable contributor with 10 catches for 87 yards this season and is signed through next year with a $15.4 million salary cap hit.
- The roster spot opened by Kmet’s injury was filled by defensive end Montez Sweat, who returned from a two-game suspension related to a positive test for masking agents; the Bears have recorded fewer sacks in his absence.
