Veteran Kansas City Chiefs WRs must lead the way with 'next man up' mentality following injuries
The Kansas City Chiefs are in a tough spot with their top two wide receivers sidelined for the foreseeable future. Just when it seemed that the Chiefs were making due with the fact that Hollywood Brown won't play until the very end of the year, if at all, due to a shoulder injury, now Rashee […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are in a tough spot with their top two wide receivers sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Just when it seemed that the Chiefs were making due with the fact that Hollywood Brown won't play until the very end of the year, if at all, due to a shoulder injury, now Rashee Rice has gone down with a knee injury. Fingers are still crossed for Rice to be able to return at some point this season, but he'll still miss significant time.
Chiefs fans have spent the past week dreaming up trade scenarios to fill the void left by Brown and Rice. While it's possible that the Chiefs trade for a receiver at some point, when that will happen or the quality of what they'll get is unknown. The solution is going to begin with the remaining receivers left on the roster.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes acknowledged that while speaking to the media on Thursday.
"Those guys are always the guys that do it the right way," Mahomes said when asked about the greater importance that veteran receivers Justin Watson and JuJu Smith-Schuster now have. "I mean, they're always in the right position. They do what they're supposed to do, get guys lined up. And I think having those guys is a luxury, because you know that they're going to be there, they're going to get open, and they're going to make plays when their numbers are called. And so, I think (GM) Brett Veach did a great job of continuing to build within that receiving room. Obviously, not expecting to have these two, two kind of big injuries early in the year, in that receiving room, but having the support of the guys that come in and step up and make plays whenever those guys aren't in there."
With rookie receiver Xavier Worthy having kind of his own specific role within the offense, Watson and Smith-Schuster are going to be the next men up. Smith Schuster, though not as explosive as Rice, has a similar skillset as him and will need to find a way to produce. Watson has pretty much been playing the role of Brown all season, but now needs to become more consistent.
Like it or not, the Chiefs are going to have to do the best with what they have. They were certainly able to get it done last year, and let's not forget that they're not completely void of talent. Just last week, tight end Travis Kelce reminded everyone that he's still an elite player and Worthy caught a 54-yard bomb from Mahomes.
Beyond the receivers, running back Kareem Hunt also showed last week that he has some gas left in the tank. If K.C. is able to add another talented receiver, that will be great. If not, Mahomes and coach Andy Reid are going to have to prove their "G.O.A.T." status yet again.
Chiefs’ offensive injuries don’t stop with Rashee Rice ahead of Week 5 showdown with Saints on MNF
The Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints have released their first injury reports ahead of Week 5.
