The tight end played 62.19% of Chicago’s offensive plays this season. Coach Ben Johnson says the Bears will keep their approach as other tight ends take over his work.
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet will miss the rest of the 2026 season after injuring his right knee during a 30–24 win over the New England Patriots, coach Ben Johnson confirmed on October 23, ESPN reported. The Bears placed Kmet on season-ending injured reserve after testing that morning.
Kmet had missed only one game across his seven National Football League (NFL) seasons. Although his receiving production had fallen since Johnson took over in 2025, he remained heavily involved in Chicago’s offense.
Kmet had been on the field for 62.19% of Chicago’s offensive plays this season. His offensive snap count—the number of plays he took part in—ranked eighth on the team. In seven games, he caught 10 passes for 87 yards and one touchdown.
Tight ends catch passes and block for teammates. ESPN reported that Chicago uses formations with two or three tight ends at some of the NFL’s highest rates, making the position important to how the Bears run their offense. Kmet’s absence leaves blocking and receiving duties for others to take on.
Johnson also described Kmet as someone he relied on to communicate with players and understand the team’s mood, saying he would be sorely missed.
Chicago will lean on Colston Loveland and rookie Sam Roush, according to ESPN. Further options include practice-squad players Stephen Carlson and Qadir Ismail, along with undrafted free agent Hayden Large, who is eligible to return from injured reserve.
Johnson said all the tight ends had trained to perform every role, so he did not expect Chicago to change its offensive approach. He said the available players offered ways to keep running the ball, protecting the passer and running routes to receive passes.
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3 min
Atlanta beat San Francisco 29–20, and Seattle beat Kansas City 20–3, ending both teams’ unbeaten starts. Minnesota beat Indianapolis 16–10 to remain the NFL’s last unbeaten team. Cincinnati beat Baltimore 35–13, Detroit beat Green Bay 20–17 and Pittsburgh beat New Orleans 16–10 in the league’s first game in France. The Rams beat the Raiders 35–21, Denver beat Arizona 30–16, Tampa Bay beat Carolina 43–13, the Giants beat Houston 27–21 in overtime and Miami beat the Jets 28–25.
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The NFL’s first regular-season game in France gives Pittsburgh a third straight win before Cleveland later reclaims the AFC North lead.
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