Bears Survive Patriots But Lose Cole Kmet to Scary Non-Contact Knee Injury

The Chicago Bears managed to survive Thursday Night Football with a 30-24 win over the New England Patriots, but the victory lap has been officially canceled. Tight end Cole Kmet went down late in the game with a non-contact knee injury, and the immediate aftermath feels grim.

Head coach Ben Johnson did not exactly sugarcoat the situation, telling reporters via Ian Rapoport that the injury did not look very good. In the NFL, "non-contact knee injury" is a phrase that immediately makes everyone in the building stare at the floor and brace for the absolute worst.

"Bears coach Ben Johnson on the injury: 'But I don’t think it looked very good.'"

Kmet has hauled in 10 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown through seven games this season. Those might not be the kind of numbers that break fantasy leagues, but his 6-foot-6, 257-pound frame is a foundational piece of what Chicago wants to do in the red zone and the run game.

Losing a starting tight end late in a game you already have wrapped up is the ultimate Thursday night tax. The Bears are already dealing with a battered roster, missing linebacker Jack Sanborn to a concussion and sweating out T.J. Edwards dealing with a bad hamstring.

Oddsmakers and fantasy managers will be holding their breath waiting for the official MRI results today. If Kmet is sidelined for the long haul, Chicago has to figure out how to replace a massive offensive anchor right as the schedule starts to get heavy.