The Kansas City Chiefs had a list of injury updates yesterday. As they look to find a more consistent offense, the wide receiver position group is being looked at to step up in these final weeks. While the offense as a whole has struggled at times, the addition of one particular player may have been added to the latest update to help him gain some confidence in his game again.
Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver
Kadarius Toney did not participate in Thursday’s practice for the Kansas City Chiefs, and is officially listed as questionable for their upcoming Monday game against the Las Vegas Raiders. This addition comes as a slight surprise. During the game against the New England Patriots, Kadarius Toney was not seen to have any ailing concern, and there was no mention of any possible injury related issues during the broadcast. Even after his bobbled dropped pass that led to an interception, the Kansas City Chiefs kept him in the rotation.
Listed now as a non-participant from practice due to a hip injury, some are speculating as to the actual reason why Kadrius Toney was not present on the field, participating in the team practice.
Kansas City Chiefs Drop Concern
Patrick Mahomes has been visibly upset with Kadarius Toney during games and on the sideline. As someone that has not only had drops, but several head scratching plays, any move to lessen his role or outright bench him would not receive much criticism. For someone with his ability, and skillset, his puzzling plays show a current run of the so called ‘yips’.
An unexplainable, sudden inability to make routine plays, for Kadarius Toney, it has been almost more of the flip side, of just making harmful plays from what would normally be routine next down occurrences. For him, he may very well have reaggravated his hip issue that has been bothering him, but it is also possible that Andy Reid, and the Kansas City Chiefs want to give him a chance to get his mind right, while publicly allowing him to save face.
He played an important role in their run to the Super Bowl last year, and would likely have to again this year if the Kansas City Chiefs are going to repeat as champions.
Kansas City Chiefs Other Pieces
Mecole Hardman will also be looking to return to the Kansas City Chiefs from injured reserve and contribute in a meaningful way in this passing attack. This becomes especially meaningful as Skyy Moore as been put in injured reserve with a knee injury.
Andy Reid has left the door open to a possible return of Skyy Moore, but for the time being the wide receiver group will continue as is. Despite all of the concerns for this team, the Kansas City Chiefs remain the third highest passing attack in the league at 255.6 yards a game. So while some are sounding the alarm bell, it is more out of comparing this team to some of the juggernauts of past years.
With uncertainty of certain teammates and their injury concerns, and a Travis Kelce appearing a step slower in some games, the Kansas City Chiefs are hoping for a recovery from Kadarius Toney. They are either looking for just a physical recovery from an ailing hip, or a psychological one that would mean getting rid of the negative plays. Either way, they will need him at his full capabilities toward the end of the season.