Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid provides injury updates following preseason Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After the preseason Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Andy Reid gave reporters details on the Kansas City Chiefs’ injury situation. Two new players are dealing with injuries, including a starter and a key depth player.
The Kansas City Chiefs dropped their second preseason game with a 16-15 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The team had one injury during the game, but a player was also mysteriously scratched at kickoff. Chiefs HC Andy Reid spoke about the injury situation with reporters following the game.
“As far as the injuries go, Alohi (Gilman) in warm-ups had some low back spasms, so he didn’t play,” Reid told reporters. “And then Tyreke Smith tweaked his right hamstring. Not sure how bad that is, but it was bad enough to where he couldn’t continue on there.”
The Chiefs will evaluate both injuries further once they return to Kansas City. Imaging should reveal the severity of both the back injury and the hamstring strain.
Alohi Gilman’s injury gave UDFA S Xavier Nwankpa a chance to impress
It’s less than ideal for one of your starting safeties to suffer back spasms during warm-ups for a preseason game. The team already had S Chamarri Conner out with a knee injury, which put the team down two players at the position. The Chiefs then pivoted to a three-safety look on the starting defense, including Jaden Hicks and Xavier Nwankpa, with Chris Roland-Wallace at nickel. It was Nwankpa’s first time with the starting unit, and it really validated where I felt he stands on the roster heading into this game.
Nwankpa ultimately finished the game with three combined tackles. He had a solid-looking day in coverage, with the first-team and second-team defense not allowing any points to the Bucs. Hopefully Gilman’s back issue isn’t long-term. With roster cuts just eight days away, this only increases the likelihood that the Chiefs go with five safeties on the 53-man roster.
Chiefs edge rusher depth continues to be depleted by injuries
Tyreke Smith’s injury is disappointing because he was really starting to flash before it happened. Just a few plays prior to exiting with his hamstring strain, he had a really nice rush.
The Chiefs already lost Ethan Downs for the season. Ashton Gillotte has a torn plantar fascia, which could keep him out for the next three weeks. Emmanuel Ogbah saw his first action of the preseason and still looked to be getting into football shape.
The good news is that Felix Anudike-Uzomah and R Mason Thomas both look to be players for this team. The Chiefs just need to put them, and George Karlaftis, in bubble wrap until the regular season begins. Also, Ethan Hurkett has made some positive strides in his return to the team.
All of that said, Kansas City might need to look for edge rusher help on waivers or via trade during 53-man roster cuts. They could even look across the sideline at a team like the Buccaneers, who seem to have a surplus of pass rush talent.
