Injury Update: Mooney out; Kmet, Patrick questionable for Sunday
Bears receiver Darnell Mooney remains in concussion protocol and has been ruled out of Sunday’s home game against the Falcons.
Tight end Cole Kmet (knee) and center Lucas Patrick (knee) are both listed as questionable on the injury report after being limited in practice Friday.
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Kmet was injured late in the first half of last Sunday’s win over the Cardinals when he took a direct hit on his knee after a 29-yard reception. He exited at halftime after catching four passes for a career-high 107 yards.
Kmet has not missed a game since being selected by the Bears in the second round of the 2020 draft out of Notre Dame, appearing in all 65 contests with 58 starts.
“That’s the one personal thing that means the most to me,” Kmet said. “Something that was stressed by Jimmy (Graham) when he was here that that’s the most important thing that these organizations really look at: availability is dependability; all of that type of stuff. My job is to be ready for the game the best that I can. I’ve done that for quite a long time since I’ve been in the league.”
Kmet acknowledged that there’s a balance between extending his consecutive games streak and being smart about his injury.
“I’m not going to be dumb about it,” he said. “But if I feel good to go, I’m good to go. You’ve got to let it rip, too, when you’re out there. At this time of the year, most guys are playing at 80, 70%. It’s a matter of ‘can he play at 100% at 80?’ That’s this league. That’s what you’re trying to get to by Sunday.”
Asked about Kmet’s availability Sunday, coach Matt Eberflus said: “Everything looks pretty good there, so it’s positive.” Eberflus added that Patrick “also looks very good for that.”
Three Bears who have been sidelined with injuries appear ready to return Sunday: Left guard Teven Jenkins (concussion), receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (pectoral) and linebacker Noah Sewell (knee) all were full participants in practice throughout the week and were not given injury designations.
