There hasn't been a player on the Chicago Bears who has been more consistent with being on the field with his team than tight end Cole Kmet.
Since being drafted by the Bears in the second round back in 2020, Kmet has appeared in 90 out of a possible 90 regular-season games. He's caught 267 passes for 2,724 yards and 20 touchdowns in five and a half seasons.
It's been a tough season for Kmet so far, with only nine catches for 132 yards and one touchdown. Things haven't helped Kmet that a rookie first-round pick, Colston Loveland, has been hovering over his shoulder.
This week has not been much better for the veteran tight end, as he has been dealing with a back injury. Would his back hold him back from doing the one thing he has not done in his NFL career: miss a game?
Bears announce that Kmet is out for the game vs. Ravens
In the Bears' final injury report for their Week 8 showdown versus the Baltimore Ravens, Kmet was ruled out with his back injury. A historical moment in a bad way, as he will miss the first game of his career.
The signs were there all week as he did not practice at any of their three games due to the back injury. It's a crushing blow for the tight end, who has been the subject of trade rumors and his future in question entering the season.
Chicago will turn their attention to Loveland to be the main guy at tight end. The 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has been through his own injuries, as he missed the Week 4 Las Vegas Raiders game with a hip injury.
Read more: Bears deliver gut punch to fans one day before their Week 8 game vs. Ravens
The Bears' offense has been trying to get the tight ends more involved over the last few games, so expect Loveland to get more targets than he has all season. Fans hope that Kmet's injury is just a minor setback for a comeback waiting to happen after missing the game.