Chiefs RB lands on injured reserve
The defending champions will have to embark on their stretch run this year without a notable offensive weapon.
The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Sunday that they have placed running back Jerick McKinnon on injured reserve. As a result, McKinnon will miss at least the next four games (Kansas City’s three final regular season contests and a playoff game).
McKinnon, who has a groin injury, was one of the Chiefs’ top playmakers during last year’s Super Bowl-winning season. He had nine receiving TDs in the regular season and a number of big plays in the playoffs as well.
Though he had taken a bit of a step back this season with Isiah Pacheco gaining a stranglehold on the starting job and Clyde Edwards-Helaire still contributing as well, McKinnon had maintained a strong impact on passing downs with four receiving TDs in 12 games. Now Kansas City will have to survive well into the new year without him.
Kansas City Chiefs Linked To Star Wide Receiver Amid Playoff Push (Report) – Gridiron Heroics
The Kansas City Chiefs are once again one of the teams to beat in the AFC. They sit at 9-5 and are likely en route to yet another division title. However, there have certainly been times this season where the Chiefs haven’t looked like their dominant self.
One report suggests that the Chiefs could bring in a wide receiver that could change their entire offense.
Kansas City Chiefs Linked To Star Wide Receiver Marquise Brown
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report highlighted what this would mean to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs:
The Chiefs receiving corps has been frustrating, but it does look like they have found a future No. 1 receiver in Rashee Rice. The SMU alum is third among all rookie receivers in yards (758) this season and tied for second in touchdowns with seven.
Rice has looked particularly good over the last four weeks, averaging 9.5 targets per game with 32 catches, 334 yards and three touchdowns. Extrapolated over a 17-game season that would be 136 receptions, 1,419 yards and nearly 13 touchdowns. That’s a pretty far leap, but it shows just how good he’s been recently.
What the Chiefs really need in free agency is a receiver with experience who can be the No. 2. Releasing Marquez Valdes-Scantling would free up $12 million in cap space, which opens the door for the Chiefs to get a little bit aggressive.
Targeting a No. 1 receiver like Tee Higgins or Mike Evans might be a bit aggressive, but going down a tier to get Marquise Brown would make a lot of sense. The 26-year-old could play a similar role to MVS as the vertical threat with the speed to get behind defenses, but a better track record of coming down with them.
Brown has tried and failed to be a top option. Despite opportunities to be the top receiver in Baltimore and Arizona he has just one season with more than a 1,000 yards. Still he would be a high end No. 2 for the Chiefs and give them the vertical threat they don’t have right now.
Will The Chiefs Make A Change At Wide Receiver?
Head coach Andy Reid said on Saturday that wide receivers Kadarius Toney (hip strain) and Mecole Hardman (thumb), running back Jerick McKinnon (groin) and left tackle Donovan Smith (neck/shoulder) are all out of Monday’s game.
The Chiefs have been stretched thin on wide receivers all season long. It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see them go after a stud wide receiver in the draft as well as in free agency.
Patrick Mahomes has not had the same downfield fire power since Tyreek Hill was traded away. While they are the reigning Super Bowl champions, if they want to maintain that fortitude in the future they will certainly have to think about acquiring more weapons for that offense.
