Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet left the team’s October 22 game against the New England Patriots with a knee injury, and the Bears say he is likely out for the rest of the season. Chicago won the Thursday night game 30-24, according to the team’s official game recap, improving to 5-2.
Kmet was carted to the locker room midway through the fourth quarter after the injury. After the game, head coach Ben Johnson told reporters, "We’ll know more tomorrow," a comment captured in the Bears’ own press conference archive. Reports have since described Kmet as likely out for the remainder of the season, though the sources reviewed for this story do not include a full medical diagnosis.
For the Bears, losing Kmet means leaning more heavily on the rest of the tight end room for the balance of the schedule, including in red zone situations near the goal line, where Kmet had been a frequent target. Fantasy football managers with Kmet on their rosters will need to find a replacement quickly, since usage at the position can shift fast once a starter is ruled out.
The injury is the latest to hit an NFL roster this season, following other high-profile cases such as Terry McLaurin’s knee injury and subsequent scans with the Commanders. The Bears have not named a specific replacement to carry Kmet’s role for the rest of the year, and that decision is expected to become clearer as the coaching staff finalizes its plans in the coming days.
Cole Kmet is likely out for the remainder of the Bears’ season after his knee injury against the Patriots. Chicago will rely on its other tight ends as the team continues its playoff push, and an official update from the team is expected once further evaluation is complete.
