Bears TE Cole Kmet carted off with knee injury in win over Patriots

Why Cole Kmet is trending

Cole Kmet is trending because the Bears tight end left Thursday night's 30-24 win over the Patriots on a cart after hurting his right knee in the fourth quarter. No diagnosis has been given, and the Bears have not put out a timetable for his return.

Kmet caught an 8-yard pass from Caleb Williams with 5:46 left in the game. As he ran up the Chicago sideline, he lowered his body and collided with Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez and linebacker Robert Spillane. He grabbed his knee immediately and stayed on the ground.

What happened on the cart

Kmet got back to his feet with help from Bears athletic trainers before the team brought out a cart. He gave fans a thumbs-up as he was wheeled to the locker room. He was ruled out for the rest of the game shortly after. He finished the night with three catches for 28 yards.

What we know, what we don't

What's confirmed: the injury is to the right knee, it happened on a routine 8-yard catch and run, not a hit from a defender charging in, and Kmet was able to stand on his own before the cart came out.

What's not confirmed: the severity of the injury and any recovery timeline. Nothing beyond "knee injury, ruled out" has come from the team or from the reporting on this game.

Bears close it out without him

Chicago did not need Kmet in the fourth quarter to finish the job. Caleb Williams threw two touchdown passes as the Bears held off Drake Maye and the Patriots, 30-24, on Thursday night. The tight end's health will be the follow-up story out of Chicago in the days ahead.

Facts per ESPN, ESPN box score. Opinion is the taproom's.