Will Chiefs CB Joshua Williams start in Week 14 vs. Chargers? Steve Spagnuolo provides the latest updates
The Kansas City Chiefs pulled CB Nazeeh Johnson from the starting lineup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13 in favor of CB Joshua Williams. This came after Johnson surrendered an explosive play, a 43-yard reception to the Raiders. The move from Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo raises a pretty important question for Week 14. Which of […]
The Kansas City Chiefs pulled CB Nazeeh Johnson from the starting lineup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13 in favor of CB Joshua Williams. This came after Johnson surrendered an explosive play, a 43-yard reception to the Raiders.
The move from Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo raises a pretty important question for Week 14. Which of the two players will be starting opposite CB Trent McDuffie for the "Sunday Night Football" matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers?
“Yeah, we’ll see where we’re at," Spagnuolo told reporters on Thursday. "Listen, we’re going to need everybody down the stretch. I mean, we’re in December, it’s December football – need everybody to be healthy, stay healthy. We’re going to need all of these guys to win. Both of those guys [Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson] will probably play. We’ll see where we’re at as far as who goes first.”
As for the decision to "bench" Johnson during the game, Spagnuolo specified that he wasn't exactly benched. Yes, he swapped Johnson for Williams, but said that Johnson was on the field alongside Williams a few different times in different personnel packages.
"I talked with him, and I just told him, 'I'm going to make this move right now, that we were still going to need him.' And he still went in on other packages, other downs," Spagnuolo said. "I believe we needed him to go in there. Nobody's giving up on anybody. I just visited with Nazeeh [Johnson] again today. I told him to keep preparing like you did every other week, right? Josh [Williams] has to do the same thing. And we're at that time of the year where guys are going to get dinged, or we're going to put the best 11 guys out there. And if it means somebody's not out there that has been, it's for whatever reason the staff feels like is going to make us better, and we'll do that with any position, really."
While Spagnuolo was unwilling to name a starter ahead of Week 14, it's hard to imagine a situation where Williams isn't the guy for Kansas City. The Chiefs have sought to eliminate the explosive plays on defense over the last few weeks, and Johnson's coverage bust in Week 13 put a target on his back.
There's also last season's Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Chargers to consider. Williams was targeted eight times in that game, allowing just one reception for seven yards. That includes no receptions allowed when aligned against Chargers WR Quentin Johnston, according to Pro Football Focus.
Kansas City Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu proving to be further along in his injury return than anticipated
The Kansas City Chiefs defender played more than anticipated in Week 13’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
