Chiefs Lose OT Wanya Morris to Gruesome Knee Injury on Opening Drive vs. Texans
The Kansas City Chiefs were dealt a tough blow right out of the gate on Sunday when starting offensive tackle Wanya Morris went down with a brutal-looking knee injury on the team's very first drive against the Houston Texans.
Morris, who had stepped into a starting role amid injuries to both of Kansas City’s regular starting tackles, suffered a severe hyperextension to his left knee. The injury occurred in a flash - his foot appeared to stick in the turf while his body kept moving forward, causing the knee to bend in a direction it simply shouldn’t. It was the kind of injury that makes players and fans alike wince - and for good reason.
The scene was emotional. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was seen kneeling in prayer for his teammate shortly after the incident, a moment that captured the gravity of the situation.
Morris was able to walk off the field under his own power, which offered a sliver of hope, but early signs suggest the injury could be season-ending. Reports following the game pointed toward a significant ligament tear, which would almost certainly shut Morris down for the remainder of the year.
For a Chiefs offensive line already stretched thin, this is a major concern. With both starting tackles already sidelined, Morris had been a key piece in keeping Mahomes upright. Now, Kansas City may be forced to dig even deeper into its depth chart as the regular season winds down and the playoff push intensifies.
The timing couldn’t be worse. As the Chiefs try to stabilize an offense that’s been inconsistent at times this year, losing another starting-caliber lineman only adds to the challenge. Morris had been showing signs of growth in his role, and his absence will be felt both in pass protection and in the run game.
Unfortunately, Morris wasn’t the only player to suffer a significant injury on Sunday. Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz also went down with a similar-looking knee injury during a loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Ertz was attempting to haul in a pass from Marcus Mariota when he took a hit mid-air. Upon landing, his knee buckled awkwardly, and he was later carted off the field.
While the full extent of Morris’ injury is still being evaluated, the visual alone was enough to send shockwaves through the Chiefs’ sideline. For now, the hope is that he avoided major ligament damage, but the early indications aren’t promising.
Injuries are part of the game, but when they come this suddenly and this severely - especially to a young lineman finding his footing in the league - they hit a little harder. The Chiefs will now have to regroup, reshuffle the line, and prepare for the stretch run without one of their most promising young protectors.