Chiefs Going Beyond the Bye: Focus on OL and Injuries

This past two weeks provides the Kansas City Chiefs players time to heal up on the bruises as they get more time to recover from injuries. The coaching staff has significant time to prepare a game plan for execution in order to win the game coming out of the bye and then the team is able to get the most out of preparation time in order to take on the next foe: the Denver Broncos. The rest of us follow along. You have been waiting patiently, have you not?

News on the Injury Front

The Chiefs were a bit banged up after games with the Raiders and Cowboys. Before facing the Cowboys, Tyrann Mathieu had suffered a dinged knee, but he was ready to play Sunday and did. HC Andy Reid made an observation about Tyrann in his presser early this week when he stated:

“… he was able to push himself through, which was amazing. I mean, he’s a tough kid, so tough-minded. That also carries over to the defense. Our players knew that he wasn’t quite where he wanted to be. He didn’t really say anything, just kind of pushed himself through.”

This was one of my biggest worries going into the Dallas game. Coming out the other side, Mathieu will be ready to rock versus the Broncos. Whew. I think that’s a bullet dodged because Tyrann has had both knees surgically repaired and he was dealing with Swelling on Friday before the game and was listed as questionable.

Lucas Niang was next on my concern’s list. He came out of a game with rib in injuries and hasn’t played for either of the last two games versus the Raiders and Cowboys. I have to state that I was completely impressed with the work that Andrew Wylie did over the two games. He held his own against a very strong DE with the Raiders and was even better when the Chiefs faced the Cowboys. It turns out, that Wylie actually can play both inside and outside positions effectively. I was ready to toss him out like a baby with the bathwater after his last seasons contributions so, when I said i was impressed, I truly mean it. He looked like a seasoned pro in both those outings so a big tip o’ the hat to Andrew Wylie.

This gets us back to Niang. Having a rib injury in week 9, sustained in the game against the Packers. The more I see of that game, the Chiefs went up against a very tough defensive front and when Niang left you could tell he was really hurting. It is my hope that a complete three weeks out has given him time to heal and get ready for the Broncos. True: I like what Wylie did while he was in, but I also greatly appreciate what our RT Lucas Niang, has done, who is essentially a rookie. The OL was really coming together and having him miss time was not a good thing to have happen when the team needs the OL to further gel for the closing 6 game stretch.

Having Wylie be a reliable component was great to see. Having both he and Niang ready to get ugly with opposing defenders is what the ole Doc had ordered.

In the same presser that Andy spoke about Mathieu he was a bit cautious when the question about Lucas arose. Andy was quick to state though that Niang, “…he was making good progress prior to the bye…” He then added that he would get a report on him that day and he thought there was a good chance that Niang was ready to play.

Another bright spot for the Front Five concerns bringing Kyle Long off of the IR. He really had to come off if he was going to play this season. He had a 3 week window in which to participate in practice which expired this week. The team had to put him on the Permanent IR for the season, or get him active.

Long is now on the active roster. We won’t know how soon he will be ready for game snaps but this is at least a positive outlook for the remainder of the season.

Everybody was fearful that Rashad Fenton suffered a severe knee injury in the game versus Dallas. We saw him make a hit, and crawl off the field.

Third year pro Fenton has really upped the ante with his play in 2021 and he had earned recognition as the top CB rating via PFF of all Corners in the NFL–that’s high praise for a 6th round draft pick. I thought he sustained an injury that would require surgery and I am happy to report that as I was writing about that last week, it turned out not to be true.

The Wednesday Report saw both Mecole Hardman and Ty Hill miss practice (for personal reasons, not injury related). Lucas Niang’s status was “limited,” but he was out there. Kyle Long was a full practice participant. Rashad Fenton’s knee remains a question and did not practice. I have not heard anything projected about his availability for the Broncos game. I certainly hope that Fenton is able to go on Sunday but I want him completely ready to do battle and not rush back and play hurt. The Chiefs have talent available and if Fenton needs it –> it is better to hold off on his return.

Broncos Injury Report

After a tough win against the Los Angeles Chargers, the outlook for the Denver Broncos has some questions. This was one of the very few times I have rooted for the Broncos, but with that win, KC retains the lead in the AFC West. Had the Chargers won, they would have ascended to the top due to the head-to-head win over the Chiefs: 30-24 earlier in the season. The Broncos report on Thursday:

DOUBTFUL: OL Bob Massie (Ankle) and DB Kareem Jackson(Neck).

QUESTIONABLE: RB Mike Boone(Hip), WR Tyrie Cleveland (Hamstring) and DE Shelby Harris (ankle)

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A Rookie Anchors the OL

This deservers “High Jingo” and an A type Grade from The Athletic

I have really got to get this shout out to the Chiefs interior offensive line:

Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey & Trey Smith

They are banging up the NFL on the interior. This unit is one of the best IOLs in the NFL if not the very best. Creed Humphrey has got to be a top contender for NFL Rookie of the Year. Joe Thuney should get an All-Pro Nod and Trey Smith will certainly make the all rookie team and probably a Pro Bowl selection is in the offing at the very least. Andy Heck has done a great job with the OL this season and QB Patrick Mahomes is learning the ropes in gaining trust in what the group has accomplished.

I have already made observations about Lucas Niang above along with Andrew Wylie. On the Left side Orlando Brown has had a flow of criticism out in the public which I think is wrought from expectations of fans and pundits looking for perfection. I watched two complete game films (Raiders/Cowboys) and I am telling you that my view is that Orlando Brown played very good football in both games. I am not saying perfect, I am saying very good.

Seth Keysor wrote an article called: “Orlando Brown film review: Looking at the Chiefs’ new left tackle” Take a look, as he arrives at the same conclusions as I do.

Earlier, I had gone through some Lucas Niang tape for the same reason. Niang did have two games where he missed blocks and had neutral plays where he should have been able to win them. Almost immediately, I heard and read comments from various parties around town and around the NFL which were derogatory. Again, I think those are folks completely jumping the gun. Early in the season, the line as a whole was struggling to build into a cohesive unit.

As the four game streak began — Giants, Packers, Raiders, Cowboys — things changed for Niang. I agreed, early in the season, that there were plays where h appeared to miss his assignment, but starting with with the 4 game win streak, he looked better and better… then… he suffered the unfortunate rib injury. It is my view that Lucas Niang almost entirely “wins” or he has a snap that is “neutral.” Keep in mind that the latter can be a play where he doesn’t look good, but it is not a loss because his participation in that play is not a factor. Lucas Niang belongs as a starter at ROT.

I can say this about Niang” if the Chiefs are running the football, Niang is already a dominator. In Pass Protection, he has had his lapses. If the whole unit get’s an A? Then Niang is one of the reasons why.

If you want to see a complete grade card article for the Chiefs, you can find it at the Athletic, in a piece called: “Report cards and ‘what we’ll be watching for’ from each position group“

The OL Group is very good and I keep in mind the depth of the offensive line is going to determine stability, is the reason why I think acquiring Austin Blythe, Prince Tega Wanogho, and Kyle Long is important to the stretch run. Long is an unknown factor for game play with the Chiefs. However, I have always respected his play and he looked good prior to his tibial plateau fracture in OTAs. Sure, you may question what he brings to the table because of missed football time, but you saw no criticism in camp from staff about his his ability nor his enthusiasm. Again, the noise I heard around fandom and from a couple of pundits is something that I believe is led by emoting a viewpoint. I cannot say that Long is ready to roll into a game but Full Practice means something. I think Kyle is getting ready to step into a game, inside or out.

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David Bell — ArrowheadOne

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