Bears expect Cole Kmet and Khalil Herbet to play against Packers
The Chicago Bears are eliminated from playoff contention, but they have plenty to play for in Week 18.Not only does the team look like its finding its identity after winning five of the last seven games, the Bears have lost nine straight games and haven't beaten the Green Bay Packers since December 2018. Chicago is […]
The Chicago Bears are eliminated from playoff contention, but they have plenty to play for in Week 18.
Not only does the team look like its finding its identity after winning five of the last seven games, the Bears have lost nine straight games and haven't beaten the Green Bay Packers since December 2018. Chicago is a pathetic 3-17 over the last decade and change, as well.
If that's not enough to amp players up in the season finale, I don't know what would.
That's why the latest report surrounding tight end Cole Kmet and running back Khalil Herbert is considered very good news: Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, both players are expected to play on Sunday after being listed as questionable on the final injury report.
Justin Fields will have two of his most important weapons on the field, which is always a good situation to be in.
No word on Jaylon Johnson, just yet
It still remains to be seen what happens with the Bears' Pro Bowl cornerback, who was listed as doubtful on Friday. He missed practice all week with a shoulder injury and it's likely he doesn't play – there just hasn't been any official word, yet.
"[We're] just really trying to get him to game time, trying to get him there," Bears head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Friday. "Obviously with that caliber of player, we're just doing everything we can to get him to the game. We're gonna certainly give it that time as well. For him, he just knows the position really well, can really execute at a high level, he knows the coverages -just little tweaks here and there- so he'd be ready to go. He's been engaged in the meetings, for sure."
The Packers offense was lights out against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17, so it would obviously be a huge boost to the Bears defense if Johnson plays. He's easily had the best year of his career and has really taken off in Year 2 under Eberflus.
Whether he plays or not remains to be seen, but his presence -or absence- will affect the game, in either way.
