Cole Kmet was carted off during Chicago’s Week 7 win over New England after sustaining a right knee injury on an 8-yard catch, exiting in a full brace but giving a thumbs-up. Head coach Ben Johnson offered a grim outlook afterward, saying, “I don’t think it looks very good,” though full details weren’t yet available.
ESPN and NFL insider Ian Rapoport offered an update on Friday, noting, “A key part of their offense now seems to be out for the foreseeable future as Kmet will undergo tests today following a non-contact knee injury. “It’s the kind of long-term significant injury that players fear.”
The injury is significant given Kmet’s role as one of the league’s most-used blocking tight ends, leading all NFL tight ends with 197 blocking snaps through six weeks. Quarterback Caleb Williams emotionally praised Kmet as the team’s longest-tenured player, vowing to support him through recovery.
The fact that Ben Johnson discussed the injury, which he almost never does, is an indication this is not good. After slowing down the video of the injury, it appears Kmet’s right knee buckles before the hit. Of course, the defender’s hit likely didn’t help.
With Kmet sidelined, rookie Sam Roush will likely see an expanded role behind primary tight end Colston Loveland. Roush, a third-round pick, has struggled through his rookie season, managing just three catches for 33 yards and committing costly mistakes, including a drive-killing penalty and a blocked kick against Minnesota, plus a special-teams error against Philadelphia that gifted Philadelphia a touchback. The Bears will need him to grow quickly if Kmet’s absence extends into a larger workload for the rookie.
Caleb Williams commented on the injury after the game. He noted, “Cole’s been there for me every step of the way, through the first year, through the second year, and now through this year. I don’t have the words to describe what Cole is to me, what Cole is to this team. I’ll be right there with him through every step of whatever the injury is.”
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