Trey Smith Injury Update: Kansas City Chiefs’ glaring weakness shows as starting right guard is evaluated for concussion
The Kansas City Chiefs are dealing with a bad bout of injury luck. The latest injury shows a glaring weakness in offensive depth that has persisted for a long time.
The Kansas City Chiefs are snake-bitten by the injury bug this week, and the latest injury has shown one of the team’s glaring weaknesses.
The Chiefs were down two running backs entering this game, with Ken Walker (groin) and Jaydn Ott (hamstring) inactive. Then, during the first quarter, tight ends Travis Kelce and Jared Wiley suffered ankle injuries. Now, Chiefs RG Trey Smith left the game to be evaluated for a concussion. It’s unclear when the head injury occurred, but Smith was seen walking back to the locker room for further evaluation. The team ruled him out with just over seven minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Without Smith, the Chiefs’ entire right side of the offensive line is comprised of replacement players. Jaylon Moore was ruled out on Friday with an ankle injury, leading to Joshua Ezeudu starting at right tackle. Mike Caliendo, who has made two starts at left guard this season, is now filling in at right guard.
Kansas City Chiefs’ failure to upgrade over Mike Caliendo has hamstrung the offense
The Chiefs’ backup offensive line has never been a strength for the team. However, the inability to upgrade over Mike Caliendo over the past several seasons is a massive organizational failure. They’ve seen him struggle in countless games, including a Super Bowl. He’s a limited player who has issues in pass protection against power rushers. Creed Humphrey is having to give him help on practically every play, which is making the All-Pro center perform worse.
On the Chiefs’ opening drive before all of the injuries, they went for 80 yards and a touchdown. In the three offensive drives since, they’ve gained just 72 total yards and punted four times. Caliendo isn’t the whole story, but he’s certainly contributing to Kansas City’s offensive struggles. It’s going to be a long day for the team if they can’t find a way to compensate for all of the different injuries.
