Bears' Colston Loveland: Game-winning TD in wild victory
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Loveland secured six of seven targets for 118 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears' 47-42 win over the Bengals on Sunday.
The rookie put a thrilling cap on the wildest fourth quarter of the season, recording a 58-yard catch-and-run touchdown during which he bounced off a would-be tackler in the middle of the field and sprinted into the end zone with 17 seconds remaining. Loveland preceded that memorable play with a five-yard scoring grab in the first half of the third quarter, and the two catches served as the 2025 first-round pick's first pair of NFL touchdowns. Loveland's career-high reception, yardage and target totals were partly the result of Cole Kmet exiting the game with a concussion in the second quarter, but the former is clearly earning the right to more playing time by the week.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Cole Kmet (back) is expected to play in Week 9 after sitting out in Week 8, but both Chicago tight ends should be considered sleepers in this matchup against the Bengals, who are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to the position. Cincinnati has allowed 10 touchdowns to tight ends, including eight in the past four games. I'm hopeful this game will be a breakout performance for Loveland, who hasn't done much yet in his rookie campaign with 6.8 PPR points his season high in Week 8 at Baltimore. Kmet also has done next to nothing with 8.0 PPR points in Week 3 against Dallas as his best game to date. But given the matchup, both tight ends could be useful to Fantasy managers, and I give a slight edge to Loveland as the one to trust.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Sleeper TEs
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Cole Kmet (back) is expected to play in Week 9 after sitting out in Week 8, but both Chicago tight ends should be considered sleepers in this matchup against the Bengals, who are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to the position. Cincinnati has allowed 10 touchdowns to tight ends, including eight in the past four games. I'm hopeful this game will be a breakout performance for Loveland, who hasn't done much yet in his rookie campaign, with 6.8 PPR points his season high in Week 8 at Baltimore. Kmet also has done next to nothing with eight PPR points in Week 3 against Dallas as his best game to date. But given the matchup, both tight ends could be useful to Fantasy managers, and I give a slight edge to Loveland as the one to trust.
If Cole Kmet remains out, this could be the launching pad for a second-half breakout for Loveland. He has three catches in each of the Bears' last two games, and the Bengals have given up the most points to opposing tight ends. It's a long shot, but he's still a rookie who was drafted in the top 10. A breakout could happen at any moment.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Week 9 Waiver Priority List
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Loveland is worth a flier in all leagues in Week 9 with his matchup against the Bengals, who are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. Cincinnati has allowed 10 touchdowns to tight ends, including eight in the past four games. Keep an eye on Cole Kmet (back), who missed Week 8 against the Ravens, and if he remains out, then Loveland could be a low-end starter in all leagues. He just had three catches for 38 yards on five targets against Baltimore, and I would add Loveland for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Larger role likely awaits
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Loveland is expected to serve as the Bears' No. 1 tight end and see a spike in playing time Sunday against the Ravens with Cole Kmet (back) inactive for the contest, Phil Thompson of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Following the Bears' Week 5 bye, Loveland had already noticed an uptick in snaps, handling a 51 percent share in a Week 6 win over the Commanders and a 41 percent share in the Week 7 win over the Saints. Though the Bears will have Durham Smythe and Stephen Carlson on hand as depth options at tight end, Loveland likely stands to see an even greater bump in snaps, with the absence of Kmet making the rookie first-round pick the clear top pass-catching option at the position. Loveland has flashed some upside in his limited opportunities thus far, recording eight receptions for 78 yards on 13 targets through his first five NFL games.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Three catches in victory
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Loveland caught three of four targets for 24 yards in the Bears' 26-14 win over the Saints on Sunday.
Loveland has eight receptions over five contests overall, but with fellow TE Cole Kmet having exited Sunday's contest with a back injury, the rookie first-rounder could see an uptick in snaps against the Ravens this weekend if Kmet is forced to miss time. In such a scenario, Loveland could merit Week 8 lineup consideration with six teams on bye.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Limited role continues
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Loveland caught two of three targets for 11 yards in the Bears' 25-24 win over the Commanders on Monday.
A minor hip injury cost him a Week 4 matchup against the Raiders, but the 10th overall pick in the 2025 Draft was able to return to the lineup after the Bears' bye. Loveland has just five receptions this season, and limited usage keeps him a watch-list tight end until his usage increases.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Limited in practice again
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Loveland (hip) was a limited practice participant Friday.
Loveland was also limited Thursday, following a Week 4 absence and Week 5 bye. He'll likely just be Chicago's No. 2 tight end if he ends up playing Monday night at Washington.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Inactive Sunday
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Loveland (hip) is listed as inactive Sunday in Las Vegas.
Loveland made an early departure from last Sunday's win against the Cowboys due to a hip injury that didn't allow him to practice until Friday, when he was limited and given a questionable designation. He began to trend in the wrong direction for Week 4 after Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Saturday afternoon that Loveland wasn't expected to be available Sunday, which now has been confirmed. Cole Kmet (groin) is poised to handle most of the TE reps Sunday, with Durham Smythe and Stephen Carlson in reserve roles. Meanwhile, Loveland's next chance to suit up is Monday, Oct. 13 at Washington following a Week 5 bye.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Not expected to play vs. Vegas
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Loveland (hip) is not expected to play against the Raiders on Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Loveland missed the first two practices of the week due to a hip injury he picked up during the Bears' Week 3 win over the Cowboys. He earned the questionable tag for Week 4 after logging a limited practice Friday, but it appears the rookie first-rounder is trending toward being in street clothes for Sunday's tilt. Cole Kmet will continue to serve in a near every-down role, but Loveland's likely absence opens the door for Durham Smythe to see extended playing time in multi-TE formations. Stephen Carlson was also elevated from the practice squad to the active roster to provide additional depth at tight end due to Loveland's anticipated absence.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Doesn't practice Wednesday
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Loveland (hip) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice.
Loveland wasn't able to return to this past Sunday's win against the Cowboys after hurting his hip in the second quarter. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday that Loveland was believed to have avoided a serious health concern, and that he had a chance to miss no time as a result. Nevertheless, with no practice reps to speak of to kick off Week 4 prep, Loveland likely will need to mix into drills Thursday and/or Friday to give himself a chance to suit up Sunday in Las Vegas. As for veteran TE Cole Kmet, he was limited Wednesday due to a groin injury, so the health of Chicago's top two options at the position are compromised at the moment.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Not ruled out for Week 4
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Loveland (hip) is believed to have avoided a severe injury, and he has a chance to gain clearance in time to suit up Sunday versus the Raiders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Loveland suffered a hip injury during the second quarter of Sunday's win over the Cowboys, but it appears he has a chance to avoid missing any significant time. The rookie first-rounder flashed his downfield playmaking ability before leaving the field versus Dallas, securing one of three targets for 31 yards. If Loveland is forced to miss time or face a limited snap count, Cole Kmet will handle an expanded workload at tight end.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Involved early in NFL debut
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Loveland caught one of two targets for eight yards in Sunday's 24-24 preseason tie against the Dolphins.
Both of Loveland's targets came on the opening drive, as the Bears made it a point of emphasis to get the rookie 10th overall pick involved early, even with starting quarterback Caleb Williams resting Sunday. Loveland is projected to split snaps with Cole Kmet in the regular season, but the former's participation Sunday puts to bed any remaining concerns about Loveland's recovery from January shoulder surgery. Chicago's next preseason game against the Bills on Sunday, Aug. 17 could present Loveland's first opportunity to catch passes from Williams in a game situation.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Impressing in 11-on-11s
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Loveland (shoulder) took first-team reps in 11-on-11 drills Tuesday, Alyssa Barbieri of USA Today reports.
Loveland was eased into training camp during the first week of Chicago's practices, but he now appears fully recovered from January shoulder surgery, which had held him out of pre-draft workouts and spring activities. The rookie first-round pick has reportedly impressed early, including by recording a flashy third-down connection with quarterback Caleb Williams during 11-on-11 reps Tuesday. Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Loveland has displayed full confidence in his shoulder's strength and durability during both blocking and pass-catching reps. Head coach Ben Johnson had high praise of Loveland's early momentum, saying "it's really encouraging when you look at a young player like that and the growth that he's going to be able to have with the more reps that he gets."
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Does 7-on-7s
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Loveland (shoulder) did 7-on-7 drills for the first time Saturday, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
The Bears are easing their first-round pick into training camp after January shoulder surgery held him out of pre-draft workouts and spring practices. The next big step for Loveland is full-team drills, which could come within the next few days. Participation in the first week of camp is a good sign he'll have time to ramp up and compete for a role before Week 1.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: May be eased into camp
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GM Ryan Poles said Tuesday that Loveland (shoulder) is "ready to go" for the start of training camp, but there may be a ramp-up period for the rookie tight end, Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Despite undergoing surgery on the AC joint in his right shoulder in January, Loveland was the first tight end off the board in this year's draft, going to the Bears 10th overall. He proceeded to miss the entire offseason program and acknowledged last week that he may not be ready once camp kicked off. The Bears seemingly will ease him in with the goal of getting him ready for Week 1. Loveland will be vying with Cole Kmet for targets from second-year signal-caller Caleb Williams to begin his NFL career.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Status uncertain for camp
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Loveland (shoulder) said last week that his rehab is going well but he'll still need to test things during training camp, MLive.com's Aaron McMann reports.
The 10th overall pick in the 2025 Draft didn't participate in offseason practices after undergoing shoulder surgery in January. He said in June that he expected to be ready for the start of training camp, but Bears coach Ben Johnson sounded less confident about the matter. Chicago's rookies report Saturday, with veterans then joining Tuesday, so Loveland's progress some become clear at some point next week, although contact work and full-team drills may not start in earnest until the end of the month. Once healthy, Loveland will compete with returning starter Cole Kmet for playing time and targets.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: May not be full-go for camp
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Bears coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday that he doesn't know if Loveland (shoulder) will be a full-go at the start of training camp, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
Loveland said he should be ready, but Johnson didn't sound so sure. The 10th overall pick has been limited during Chicago's offseason program, with his recent workload including route-running on a side field. He underwent shoulder surgery in January, and while he's since resumed lifting weights and catching passes, he still needs to regain strength. Loveland said learning the Bears' playbook has been a bigger challenge than his rehab work so far.
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Bears' Colston Loveland: Not ready for rookie minicamp
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Loveland (shoulder) is not participating in on-field work at rookie minicamp Friday as he continues to rehab from surgery undergone in January, Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Loveland, the 10th overall pick of April's draft, is present at rookie minicamp and building familiarity with Chicago's offensive scheme and new quarterback Caleb Williams (wrist), but the tight end's workout availability is currently limited to running and controlled lifting, per Bair. The rookie first-rounder is expected to be ready for increased participation in mandatory minicamp in early June and to be fully cleared for training camp in July. Loveland is a capable blocker at 6-foot-6, 260-pounds, but he figures to make his largest impact as a mismatch in the receiving game, though DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and rookie second-round pick Luther Burden represent plenty of competition for targets. Cole Kmet played 87 percent of snaps last season and has two years remaining on the four-year, $50 million deal he inked with Chicago in 2023, but Loveland boasts the draft capital and skillset to push for the No. 1 role before long.
