And then there were eight.
The Chiefs are one of the NFL’s eight unbeaten teams left standing, a welcome change after a six-win season a year ago for the league’s most recent dynasty. But the AFC West picture isn’t exactly familiar either: instead of chasing the Broncos or Chargers, Kansas City is tied for first with the 2-0 Raiders.
Now the Chiefs head out on the road for the first time in 2026, and Sunday afternoon sends them to Miami. The Dolphins are sitting at 0-2 and last in the AFC East, which is exactly where they were expected to be.
On paper, this looks like the softest matchup on Kansas City’s schedule. On paper, though, doesn’t play the game.
The Chiefs’ Week 3 trip comes with a handful of moving parts, from injury decisions to whether this turns into a true no-drama afternoon or one of those games that hangs around longer than expected. Kansas City is trying to get to 3-0, and the early-week injury report already gives a sense of what’s worth watching.
On the Chiefs’ side, Josh Simmons did not practice Wednesday because of a back issue, while Chris Jones and Chamarri Conner were limited. Patrick Mahomes and Rashee Rice were full participants, along with Jeffrey Bassa, Jadon Canady, Jack Cochrane, Mansoor Delane, Jaden Hicks and L'Jarius Sneed. Felix Anudike-Uzomah was limited with a quad injury.
Miami’s Wednesday report listed Tucker Addington, Rob Beal, Jr., Chris Bell, Julius Brents, Caleb Douglas, Chris Johnson, Ryan Miller, Chop Robinson, Seydou Treore and Jaylen Wright.
The biggest question for Kansas City may be the one at left tackle. Kahlil Benson has handled the spot since the opener while Simmons has been out with the lingering back injury that first popped up at the end of training camp.
Benson, a rookie free agent from Indiana, didn’t even play tackle in college, but he has done enough to keep the line steady while the offense has been especially careful around tackle play. Andy Reid has said Simmons is on his way back, and Week 3 could be the moment the Chiefs decide whether to keep rolling with Benson or bring Simmons back in.
There’s also the broader question of whether this game can stay comfortable enough to keep some of those decisions in reserve. The Chiefs have already handled two tougher tests - the defending AFC West champs in Denver and the Colts - and this stretch of the schedule now brings Miami this week, the Raiders in Week 4 and then a Week 5 bye. The Dolphins may not look imposing, but the Chiefs still have to treat it like a real game and not let a lighter opponent turn into a problem.
That same dynamic could apply to rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane. He was the team’s initial first-round pick at No. 6 overall and has been dealing with a shoulder issue after landing awkwardly on an interception return in Week 1.
Delane was active and healthy for Week 2, but he stayed on the bench against Indianapolis. If Kansas City builds a lead early in Miami, Chiefs fans may have to wait another week to see him back on the field.
In Other News...
Chiefs Have No Reason To Bail Out The Giants At Quarterback
The Giants quarterback situation turned on its head with Jaxson Dart lost for the season, leaving Jameis Winston as the starter and prompting the usual round of outside speculation about possible fixes. One name that gets floated in situations like this is Justin Fields, but from Kansas Citys side theres little reason to entertain the idea of helping another team patch over its own problem at quarterback.
Fields is there for a reason, and the Chiefs have no obvious incentive to weaken their own depth chart just to make life easier for New York. If the Giants want another option, they may have to look beyond Kansas City and explore the kind of stopgap routes that have been available before, including a free agent like Jimmy Garoppolo, instead of expecting a handout from a contender. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Stadium Move Is Already Creating Tension In Kansas
The Chiefs planned move across the state line is already changing the mood in parts of Kansas, where one commercial real estate agent says the local market has started to tilt toward sellers. As the teams expected move date gets closer, demand for homes near the future stadium site appears to be climbing, with buyers stepping up their offers and more owners sensing they may be in a stronger position than they were just a short time ago.
At the same time, not everyone is welcoming the ripple effect. Some nearby homeowners are uneasy about the possibility of higher taxes tied to the stadium financing package, which would rely on a STAR bond. The move was supposed to be about football and development, but for some residents it has quickly become a question of what the project will mean for their property values, their bills and the neighborhood around them. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Already Face A Kenneth Walker Workload Problem
Kenneth Walker III has been the engine of the offense through the first two games, and the usage has been impossible to miss. The Chiefs have leaned on him more than any back in the league so far, asking him to carry the ball 47 times and contribute 9 catches while the rest of the backfield has barely gotten involved.
Emmett Johnsons limited role is starting to stand out because the workload on Walker looks like the kind of thing that can catch up with a team over time. Kansas City may not have much choice but to expand the rookies touches if it wants to keep Walker fresh and preserve some balance in an offense that has already shown how central he is. [Read more 🡒]