The Kansas City Chiefs could become the first team in NFL history to secure a third consecutive Super Bowl win in a row, but the team will need to be firing on all cylinders for that to happen. While most of the Chiefs’ offensive and defensive stars stuck around, the team has been dealing with several injuries on the offensive line.
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So far, Joe Thuney continues to rehab from a pectoral injury he suffered during the 2023 Playoffs, leading to his being held out of the Super Bowl. Thuney has yet to make it back since the injury occurred.
To make matters worse, starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor was carted off the field during practice on Wednesday. Taylor was given a shoulder injury designation, and his return could be a matter of weeks.
The Chiefs have also lost Wanya Morris to a bone bruise, leaving third-string Lucas Niang to step up in starting duties for preseason.
#Chiefs HC Andy Reid already ruled out Jawaan Taylor with a shoulder injury. Wanya Morris was still out of practice as of Thursday with a bone bruise. Lucas Niang is the next man up and has a major opportunity ahead of him. https://t.co/UKMAdvtQuf
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) August 16, 2024
So far, the Chiefs are down two starters, along with their backup left tackle in Morris. The hope is all three will be ready to go for Week 1, but the Chiefs might need to address the line via free-agent targets if Thuney, Taylor, and Morris all miss time.
Protection for Patrick Mahomes will be paramount, as he is arguably the best quarterback in the league when is given ample time to set up throws. Great protection will also allow the new receivers to hit their routes and get open.
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 31: The Kansas City Chiefs line up on offense behind offensive tackle Jordan Devey #65 in the third quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Chiefs are down multiple offensive linemen.
Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
The Chiefs are entering 2024 with another questionable wide receiver room. Though the team can always rely on tight end Travis Kelce, the other receivers will need to gel and help Mahomes downfield.
Rashee Rice will be Mahomes’ go-to target apart from Kelce, but the Chiefs are awaiting if he will be hit with suspension after a drunk driving incident he was involved in left many people injured.
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is also a solid target, but he also suffered a shoulder injury that will keep him out of Week 1, and possibly more games. Other than Brown and Rice, the Chiefs have rookie Xavier Worthy as a starter.
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Worthy is a speedster who has been impressing coaches and reporters at practice, but he is still a rookie. There is no telling how good he will be when the regular season begins.
Despite these issues, Mahomes is still Mahomes. He helped lead his team to a back-to-back Super Bowl with a wide receiver room that looked like this in 2023. Still, offensive linemen getting injured will not help keep Mahomes upright to deliver incredible passes all season.
