Bears TE Cole Kmet out for the season after suffering knee injury vs. Patriots

The right knee injury suffered by tight end Cole Kmet during the Chicago Bears' Thursday night win over the New England Patriots has ended his season.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson said Friday that Kmet will go on injured reserve after tests revealed the severity of the injury.

"He's Chicago," Johnson said. "He's been here his whole life. He's a big part of our heartbeat. It stinks."

Kmet was carted off late in the fourth quarter after making an 8-yard catch. As he ran toward the first-down marker, he was hit by Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez and linebacker Robert Spillane and immediately began clutching his knee.

After getting assisted to his feet by athletic trainers, Kmet was carted off as he could not put weight on his right leg. He gave a thumbs-up to the Soldier Field crowd as he left the field. The team ruled him out for the rest of the game a short while later.

"I don't think it looked very good," Johnson said afterward.

The 27-year-old Kmet is in his seventh season with the Bears. Through seven games this season he has 10 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. Against the Patriots, he made three catches for 28 yards before exiting.