If we only look at their record, one would say the 2024 NFL season started perfectly for the Kansas City Chiefs. However, their list of injured players proves Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Brett Veach canāt be completely satisfied at the moment.
The head coach had even worse news on Monday, with Reid confirming the Chiefs are losing a key weapon for the rest of the season as Rashee Riceās time of recovery could be similar to that of an ACL tear.
Kansas City had already lost an important wideout in Marquise āHollywoodā Brown, who sustained a sternoclavicular joint dislocation in preseason. Rice stepped up during Brownās absence, but now that both are on the sidelines, many wonder whether the Chiefs will make a move.
According to the coach, that may not be necessary. Reid made it clear to Mahomes a few weeks ago that he believes in all the Chiefsā wideouts, and he once again suggested Veach shouldnāt be looking for options in the market. At the end of the day, Reid understands that being familiar with the offense is important at this point of the year.
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs and head coach Andy Reid speak before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
Hereās what Reid said on Monday in response to a question from Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest: āI think that helped JuJu and his situation coming back in and jumping in. It helped Mecole coming back, but Iām not telling you other guys canāt come in and help out. I donāt think thatās an issue ā itās just going to take them a little bit longer to figure it out and get on the same page with Pat (Mahomes) and all those things that wonāt be quite as [seamless] as what youāve seen with these other guys that have been in it. And Iām not saying that we need to bring anybody else in. You asked the question, Iām answering your question on that, Matt.ā
see also
NFL News: Travis Kelce makes something clear about his commitment to Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs
The Chiefsā options at WR without Rice, Brown
Rice may have a fair point, but one can also understand why the Chiefs fans are concerned about the wide receiver position. With Brown and Rice out, Mahomes is only counting on the following wideouts: Xavier Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, and Skyy Moore.
Worthy is expected to step up, but heās still a rookie. And while Rice did it in 2023, not all cases are the same. Reid and Mahomes may have found a new weapon in Smith-Schuster, who has the biggest chance to shine now, like he already did in Week 5 against the Saints. But the question is whether these performances will be consistent, and also if it will be enough for Mahomes to have only two productive wideouts for the remainder of the 2024 NFL season.
see also
Former Chiefs player teases unretiring if Tyreek Hill reunites with Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes
The Chiefs also lost their starting running back with Isiah Pachecoās fractured fibula, but Kareem Hunt has helped the team move past that. Besides, the running back room looks more complete than the WR group.
Riceās injury has linked the team to various wideouts, with Reid being urged to consider a teammate of CJ Stroud on the Texans, among other potential targets for the Chiefs. Regardless, the coach appears satisfied with his in-house alternatives. The sample size is small, but Kansas City still managed to secure wins in two games without Rice. Only time will tell us if the coach changes his mind and asks Veach to take action.
