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Chiefs' Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes give rookie LT Wanya Morris stamp of approval
The Kansas City Chiefs could have a new starter at left tackle in Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills.
As the team kicked off the practice week on Wednesday, starting left tackle Donovan Smith was absent from practice as he nurses a stinger (neck injury) that he's been battling for the past few weeks. During the Week 13 contest against the Green Bay Packers, Smith was replaced by rookie LT Wanya Morris, who played the entire second half of the game.
With a pivotal AFC conference matchup on the horizon, the Chiefs could turn to Morris as the team's starter in Week 14 and give Smith extra time to heal.
Andy Reid has faith in the rookie
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Chiefs HC Andy Reid explained that he felt very good about Morris and his performance off the bench in Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers. Despite giving up a key sack in the red zone, he felt the rookie showcased his talents for the entire world to see.
"I actually thought he did a nice job for just stepping in there," Reid said. "He's obviously a talented kid. He's got good strength. Good feet. There's a chance he's in there again this week. We'll just see how that all goes."
A reporter followed that response with a pointed question: "Do you have faith in him to start if Donovan (Smith) can't go?"
"Yeah," Reid said. "I do."
Patrick Mahomes approved
Reid isn't the only one who has faith in the rookie after his Week 13 performance. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes was asked about Morris and his ability to protect his blind side. It's safe to say that the rookie is currently MVP-approved.
"Yeah, he's played well, if you watch his tape of the last game and the limited snaps that he's been in the game," Mahomes said. "He's done a great job in the run and the pass game. I think now it's just trying to get him prepared to face a great defensive line with all the games they do and the stunts. As far as playing the position he's done a great job."
The key in Week 14 will be ensuring that Morris is prepared to face all the different things he might encounter against the Bills' defensive line. The former 2023 third-round draft pick appears to be up to the challenge.
How Wanya Morris will prepare for his first start
Morris spoke to reporters in the locker room on Thursday, explaining that he's not trying to change anything about his preparation should he draw his first career start against the Bills. Instead, he's looking to stay consistent in the habits that he's already formed which allowed him to have success in the first place.
"I'm preparing the same way," Morris told KSHB-TV's Aaron Ladd. "Your preparation should never change, week in and week out. Keep a routine. And that's all I'm going to do. Keep the same routine, prepare the same way, and just make sure I'm hyping in on the little details."
As for what he learned in the 46 offensive snaps he played against the Packers, Morris says that it was all about pace and learning how to communicate on the fly.
"Just the speed of the game, you know," Morris said. "Not much communication will be going on. You talk all that you can, but it's really just adjusting to the speed of the game and knowing how to anticipate and knowing what you're doing out there."
