The Kansas City Chiefs continue losing starters to injuries. Jaylen Watson fractured his ankle last Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. The third-year cornerback was having a breakout year in 2024 but his absence created a hole in the Chiefs’ secondary.
The Chiefs have now lost starters at running back, wide receiver, and cornerback to major injuries this season. To make matters worse, Juju Smith-Schuster suffered a hamstring injury against the 49ers and will miss the team’s next game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Chiefs are still undefeated entering Week 8, but can they continue surviving so many long-term injuries?
Can the Kansas City Chiefs Keep Winning After Recent Injuries?
Chief Concern
The Chiefs’ defense has been among the league’s best this season. Much of that has to do with Jaylen Watson’s performance. Along with leading the Chiefs in pass deflections, he is currently tied for third on the team in tackles.
Kansas City has a deep secondary, but the Chiefs’ latest injury creates a weakness on the outside across Trent McDuffie. The likely candidates to replace Watson are converted safety Nazeeh Johnson or undrafted rookie Christian Roland-Wallace. Neither have much experience lining up against starting NFL receivers.
Christian Roland-Wallace entered the game for Watson against the 49ers. Brock Purdy picked on him early, quickly completing two passes against him. However, Roland-Wallace intercepted Purdy later on to secure his first career turnover. Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo will have to decide if they want to take another chance on the rookie or start a more experienced corner against the Raiders.
The loss of Watson won’t just be felt in the secondary. His tackling ability provides great run support and keeps opposing backs from breaking off big gains. Watson’s toughness and effort in the trenches have helped the Chiefs give up just 90.5 rushing yards per game.
How Much Time Will Juju Smith-Schuster Miss?
The Chiefs still don’t fully know the significance of Juju Smith-Schuster’s hamstring injury. Nevertheless, Andy Reid has already confirmed that the wideout will miss Sunday’s game in Las Vegas. He also said the team will be cautious with getting Juju back on the field, so it could be some weeks before he returns to the active roster.
Kansas City has already addressed Juju’s injury and their dwindling receiver depth. The Chiefs finalized a deal to acquire DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans. The three-time All-Pro has had a slow start to 2024, but catching passes from Patrick Mahomes could turn things around.
Trade talks for a receiver have surrounded the Chiefs since Rashee Rice’s injury in Week 4. With Juju going down, their need for a new outside threat became even more pressing, leading to the move for Hopkins.
The Chiefs also signed receiver Justyn Ross from the practice squad. The team signed Ross as an undrafted free agent in 2022. While he has shown promise in preseason and training camp, injuries and suspensions have kept him off the field for most of his career. With so many injuries in the Chiefs’ receiving corps, now is the time for Justyn Ross to prove he belongs in the NFL.
Can the Chiefs Survive the Weeks Ahead?
Following their next contest with 2-5 Raiders, the Chiefs then play three straight games against opponents with winning records. This stretch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills will be the toughest of the Chiefs’ season.
The Chiefs were initially only reeling on offense, but now they’re missing playmakers on both sides. The Week 11 matchup with the Bills will determine if the Chiefs can remain a top contender in the AFC despite all their substantial injuries.
Main Photo: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
