Cole Kmet's Abrupt Practice Departure Intensifies Bears' Escalating Injury Concerns.
With just 18 days left before the Green Bay Packers set foot on Soldier Field to inaugurate the 2023 season, the Bears are grappling with mounting injury challenges. Tight end Cole Kmet could soon be another name added to the tally, having made an early exit from practice.
Kmet left the team drills ahead of schedule and was carted away from the Walter Payton Center. The Bears held back from addressing the situation, leaving details for Head Coach Matt Eberflus to share on Thursday.
This recent exit is the latest in a string of injuries plaguing the Bears, culminating in 21 sidelined players by Wednesday's practice end.
The Walter Payton Center's training corner was bursting at the seams with injured players on Wednesday. Yet, the team remains undaunted by the sequence of setbacks experienced by central players like right tackle Darnell Wright, safeties Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker, wide receiver Chase Claypool, and others. Left guard Teven Jenkins' status is also uncertain, possibly extending his absence until October.
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who rejoined the practice after a three-week hiatus, expressed that such challenges are part and parcel of the NFL journey. He stressed the importance of the "next man up" philosophy.
Despite the evident concerns, running back D'Onta Foreman remains optimistic. Although limited in Wednesday's practice and showing signs of a limp, he believes things will eventually normalize.
While there's ample time for recovery before Week 1, the persistent nature of some injuries and the recurrence in players who've just returned is concerning.
Rookie right tackle Wright is case in point. After an ankle injury during Tuesday's practice, he appeared on Wednesday with a pronounced limp. As for the offensive lineup, the uncertain statuses of players like Jenkins, Lucas Patrick, Cody Whitehair, and Nate Davis make the situation dynamic and challenging.
Offensive line coach Chris Morgan acknowledged the fluctuating nature of the team's health. While emphasizing the ideal of consistency, he acknowledged the reality of frequent changes and saw it as an opportunity for second and third-team players to step up.
Five of the Bears' primary offensive linemen are navigating injuries, recovery, or re-entry. This poses serious challenges for the team, especially given the date. Moreover, the offense's restructured lineup faces its challenges, with Kmet's recent exit and Claypool's two-week absence, despite his commendable grasp of the offense, as noted by wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert.
| POLL | ||
23 AOUT | 56 ANSWERS Cole Kmet's Abrupt Practice Departure Intensifies Bears' Escalating Injury Concerns. Should we start to worry about the amount of Bears' injuries? | ||
| Yes | 35 | 62.5 % |
| No | 21 | 37.5 % |
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