The Kansas City Chiefs received a concerning injury update involving defensive end Ashton Gillotte, but the latest information suggests the player could avoid a lengthy absence. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Gillotte suffered a ruptured plantar fascia, initially raising concerns about his availability for the start of the 2026 season.
The injury appeared to be a major blow for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, particularly because Gillotte has been competing for an important role along the defensive front. However, ESPN’s Nate Taylor provided a much more encouraging update after the Chiefs completed their initial evaluation of the injury.
“In their initial evaluation, the Chiefs are optimistic that Ashton Gillotte, who ruptured his plantar fascia, could return in about 3 weeks. If his rehab goes well, Gillotte would have a chance to be available Sept. 14 to play in the opening night against the Broncos.”
Ashton Gillotte injury update with Chiefs
A three-week recovery would put Ashton Gillotte in position to potentially return right around the beginning of the regular season. Kansas City’s opening-night matchup against the Denver Broncos is scheduled for September 14, giving him a realistic chance to be available if his rehabilitation progresses as expected.
That would be a significant boost for Spagnuolo. Gillotte was drafted by Kansas City with the expectation that he could contribute immediately, and losing him for an extended period would have forced the Chiefs to adjust their defensive rotation before the season even began.
For now, Kansas City will take a cautious approach and allow Gillotte’s recovery to determine his availability. The initial diagnosis is still serious, but the possibility of returning in roughly three weeks changes the outlook considerably.
