Cole Kmet to Miss Rest of Season With Knee Injury

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet will miss the rest of the 2026 season with a serious knee injury, coach Ben Johnson said Friday, adding that the team planned to place him on injured reserve later that day. Kmet was injured during the Bears’ 30-24 win over the New England Patriots on Thursday. He caught an eight-yard pass from quarterback Caleb Williams in the fourth quarter before two Patriots defenders tackled him. Kmet grabbed his right knee and was carted off the field. The prognosis was initially reported as likely season-ending while Kmet underwent further testing. Johnson’s Friday update confirmed the season-long absence, but the specific diagnosis and medical details have not been disclosed in the reports. Kmet’s departure removes a veteran tight end from the Bears’ offense. Johnson uses formations with two tight ends, and Kmet has been valued for both blocking and receiving. The team’s active-roster tight ends include rookie Colston Loveland and Sam Roush, while Stephen Carlson and Qadir Ismail are on the practice squad, according to reporting on the team’s roster. Williams described Kmet as important to him and the organization after Thursday’s game, saying the...