The Chicago Bears’ growing list of injuries is starting to get worrisome. There were 20 players sidelined during Wednesday’s practice inside the Walter Payton Center, and that list grew to 21 with tight end Cole Kmet.
According to NBC Sports Chicago, Kmet left team drills early in practice. He rode back from the Walter Payton Center on a cart.
The Bears didn’t comment on the injury, but head coach Matt Eberflus is slated to speak to the media Thursday.
#Bears TE Cole Kmet left todays practice early. He rode out of the Walter Payton Center on a cart. Kmet was able to walk to the cart that was brought into the WPC.
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 23, 2023
Kmet’s early practice exit is the latest injury concern for Chicago. Among the players who didn’t practice Wednesday: Offensive linemen Teven Jenkins, Darnell Wright and Lucas Patrick, edge rushers Yannick Ngakoue, DeMarcus Walker and Rasheem Green, wide receiver Chase Claypool and safeties Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker.
When looking at the laundry list of injured players, most of them are considered starters.
“That’s just training camp,” said linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who returned to practice this week. “Things are going to come up. That’s life in the NFL.
“It’s kind of like that next-man-up mentality.”
While there are still three weeks until the regular season opener, the growing list of injuries are definitely a concern at this point.
