As a part of the Super Bowl media week, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said it would be a “long shot” for three-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to be able to play in the Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Thuney originally suffered a pectoral injury when the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the playoffs. Nick Allegretti played for Thuney in the AFC Championship victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney would be a huge help for the Chiefs in the Super Bowl
Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney has been an anchor on the Chiefs line since coming over from the New England Patriots. He has only allowed two sacks this season, and he has only committed two penalties, according to Pro Football Focus.
The missed AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens was the first time Thuney missed a playoff game in his eight-year career. Thuney is a three-time all-pro, and his veteran presence on the line will be missed if he is unable to go against the 49ers.
In an article from Bleacher Report, Kansas City Chiefs writer for The Athletic Nate Taylor said Allegretti was serviceable.
“Nick Allegretti was serviceable, he played up to the level that was necessary against the Baltimore Ravens,” Taylor said.
Nick Allegretti with the key block on the final play of the game for the Chiefs. Filling in for Joe Thuney he clears the way when Oliver makes an inside move. Good to have backups who can execute like this. pic.twitter.com/LF2BY5Dooz
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 22, 2024
Brian Baldinger said, “I didn’t see a dropoff.” when referring to Nick Allegretti’s performance last Sunday. I love to hear this because he was the one replacing Joe Thuney. 😤🔥pic.twitter.com/3dvCyTOlQ7
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) February 5, 2024
Allegretti would be making his fifth career start should his number get called in the Super Bowl.
The Kansas City Chiefs will have their work cut out for them against the San Francisco 49ers front in the Super Bowl regardless of Thuney’s status
The San Francisco 49ers boast one of the most aggressive pass-rushing fronts in the NFL, and they will be hard to keep in check regardless of whether Joe Thuney can go.
Led by edge rusher Nick Bosa, players like Chase Young, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Javon Hargrave and Randy Gregory make up one of the deepest defensive line rooms in the NFL. In the run game, the 49ers front has been the third-best front in the NFL, allowing just 89.7 rushing yards per game.
The 49ers recorded 48 sacks this season, which was good for seventh in the NFL. That being said, the Chiefs took on the Baltimore Ravens without Thuney, and the Ravens had the most sacks in the NFL with 60.
Nick Bosa making sure he gets credited with a sack… 😂😂😂
He wants those stats 😂
pic.twitter.com/kij9x8Ib6y— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) December 10, 2023
Big play by Javon Kinlaw that got lost in the shuffle
Generates pressure with his bull rush that creates an uncomfortable throw for Goff where he just misses a TD to Gibbs
Detroit settles for a FG on this drive
As a result, the 49ers’ halftime deficit is only 17 instead of 21 pic.twitter.com/7fcDHucD1J
— Jordan Elliott (@splash_cousin) January 30, 2024
The Kansas City Chiefs will take on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m.
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