Cole Kmet likely to miss remainder of season after knee injury

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet left the field in the fourth quarter of the Bears' 30-24 win over the New England Patriots after sustaining a knee injury. The injury is described as serious and likely season-ending, and the team is expected to place Kmet on injured reserve, according to league reports.

Kmet, the longest-tenured player on the roster, had caught a pass from quarterback Caleb Williams before being hit by Patriots defenders Robert Spillane and Christian Gonzalez. He finished the game with 10 receptions for 87 yards and one touchdown this season.

"It was tough. Obviously, I don't know exactly what it is, but getting carted off is never good. You're at least going to miss some time. I don't have the words to describe what Cole is to me, what Cole is to this team, to this organization. He's the longest-tenured Bear, I believe," quarterback Caleb Williams said. "He's been through it and it's challenging, it's tough, and I'll be right there with him through every step of whatever the injury is. Cole's been there for me every step of the way, through the first year, through the second year, and now through this year. So I could only do the same for him."

The injury shifted attention to rookie tight end Colston Loveland, who recorded a season-high 12 targets, seven receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown against New England. The Bears also have rookie Sam Roush, a third-round pick from Stanford, on the active roster, along with practice-squad players Qadir Ismail and Stephen Carlson.