By Townhall Chicago News Staff
The Chicago Bears placed tight end Cole Kmet on injured reserve Friday, a significant roster blow following the team’s 30-24 Thursday Night Football victory over the New England Patriots at Soldier Field.
In a corresponding move, the team announced that defensive lineman Montez Sweat had his suspension lifted by the commissioner, according to an Oct. 23 Bears news release.
The Bears did not specify Kmet’s injury in the announcement. Placing a player on injured reserve requires a minimum four-game absence under NFL rules, meaning Kmet would miss at least four contests before becoming eligible to return.
Kmet, a fifth-year tight end, has been a fixture in the Bears’ passing attack. His absence creates a hole at a position where the team has relied heavily on him as both a receiver and blocker.
The return of Sweat provides a boost to a defensive line that has been short-handed. Sweat was placed on the reserve/suspended by commissioner list on Oct. 13, according to the team’s transaction log. The lifting of that suspension makes him eligible to rejoin the active roster.
Thursday night’s win over the Patriots improved the Bears to 5-2 under second-year head coach Ben Johnson. Receiver Rome Odunze made multiple key catches in the fourth quarter, including a 21-yard reception on third-and-9 deep in Chicago territory, to help seal the victory, according to the Bears’ website.
The Bears have been among the NFL’s more active teams with roster moves this season. Earlier in October, the club activated defensive back Kyler Gordon from the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Gordon registered 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in his first game back, a 31-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 18, according to the team’s website.
Quarterback Caleb Williams was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 21 for his performance in the Falcons victory. Williams missed three games with a hamstring injury before returning for that contest.
The team elevated linebacker Buddy Johnson and running back Zavier Scott from the practice squad ahead of Thursday’s game, according to a separate Oct. 22 roster announcement. Both are standard gameday elevations and will revert to the practice squad.
The Bears’ next game is scheduled for Week 8. The team’s 5-2 start represents one of its strongest opening stretches in recent seasons.
Information about the Bears’ roster and upcoming schedule is available at chicagobears.com.
