Cole Kmet’s night ended in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots after he made a catch and then grabbed at his knee. The Chicago Bears later announced that Kmet was out for the game, removing one of their receiving options at a crucial point.
Up to that stage, Kmet had produced three catches for 28 yards. But once he went down, the focus shifted immediately from his contribution to whether the Bears could manage without him for the rest of the game.
What happened to Kmet?
The injury came during the fourth quarter of the Week 7 meeting with the New England Patriots. After the catch, Kmet was seen clutching at his knee, and after the Bears confirmed he would not return, he was carted off the field.
He was not able to put weight on his right leg, which is always a worrying sign in a live game situation. At that stage, the Bears were left waiting for more information after the game, with head coach Ben Johnson expected to be able to provide an update.
Why the Bears will need answers
The immediate concern is not just the injury itself, but the timing. Kmet had already been involved in the passing game, and losing him late in the contest meant the Bears had to adjust without one of their trusted targets.
For a team looking to stay organised in the closing stages, that is a significant blow. More detail will have to wait until after the game, but the early signs suggest the Bears may have a major concern on their hands.
