Chiefs Brace for Crucial Stretch With Patchwork Offensive Line Against Relentless Texans Defense
Here we go again. The Kansas City Chiefs, still very much in the thick of the playoff race, are staring down a pivotal moment in their season-and they're doing it with a banged-up offensive line.
Sound familiar? It should.
In what's become a recurring theme during this dynastic run, the Chiefs are once again forced to shuffle the trenches just as the stakes get higher.
This time, the challenge comes in the form of a primetime Sunday Night Football showdown with the surging Houston Texans. And Kansas City will be entering that matchup without three key pieces up front.
Injuries Stack Up as Chiefs Turn to Young Talent
Left tackle Josh Simmons is now on injured reserve with a wrist injury. Right guard Trey Smith, who missed last week’s game, still hasn’t returned to practice due to an ankle issue. And right tackle Jawaan Taylor-who left the Thanksgiving game early with a triceps injury-remains sidelined.
That’s left head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy with some tough decisions. On Wednesday, Reid revealed the contingency plan: Wanya Morris at left tackle and Jaylon Moore on the right side. It’s a bold move, especially with one of the league’s most aggressive defensive fronts coming to town.
Nagy gave a bit more insight into the thinking behind the decision.
“There’s a process between Coach Reid, O-line coach Andy Heck, and the rest of us as we evaluate where these guys are,” Nagy said. “We talk it through, make a decision, and move forward. The key is making sure whoever’s out there trusts their fundamentals and technique.”
That trust will be tested immediately. Morris, a 2023 third-round pick, is no stranger to the starting lineup-but his last meaningful start came over a year ago against the Raiders, and it didn’t end well.
That game saw him overwhelmed by K’Lavon Chaisson, leading to a drive-killing sack and a visibly frustrated Patrick Mahomes. Reid ended up benching Morris mid-game, kicking Joe Thuney out to tackle.
Now, Morris is being asked to protect Mahomes’ blind side against Danielle Hunter, one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers, and Will Anderson Jr., who’s been even more disruptive this year in terms of total pressures. That’s a tall order for any young tackle, let alone one still trying to find his footing.
Why Morris on the Left? It’s About Fit, Not Fear
Some might wonder why the Chiefs would place Morris on the left side instead of the right, especially with Smith still out and Mike Caliendo likely starting at right guard. A Morris-Caliendo pairing on the right could be a recipe for trouble against Anderson.
But Nagy made it clear: this wasn’t about avoiding certain matchups.
“It’s less about who you’re playing and more about what’s best for our guys,” he said. “Where they’re most comfortable. Once the decision is made, you ride with it.”
There’s also a chance that Taylor could still suit up at right tackle, though the team hasn’t tipped its hand. And don’t rule out a surprise. The Chiefs recently brought back Esa Pole, and Hunter Nourzad could be in the mix along the interior if needed.
Communication Key for Makeshift Line
No matter who gets the nod, center Creed Humphrey knows the importance of keeping everyone on the same page.
“For me, it’s about making sure communication is solid,” Humphrey said. “We’ve got to all be dialed in and ready to go.”
That’s especially true against a Texans defense that thrives on chaos. They’re fast, physical, and relentless-traits that show up on tape and in the stat sheet. This isn’t a unit that’s going to let you off the hook for missed assignments or poor technique.
The Game Plan: Quick Passes, Power Runs, and Ugly Wins
With the offensive line in flux, the Chiefs are leaning into a different identity-one built on quick decisions and physical football. That’s where veteran running back Kareem Hunt comes in. He’s touched the ball 48 times over the past two games and figures to be a central figure again on Sunday.
After getting a few extra days of rest, Hunt says he’s feeling fresh and ready to shoulder the load.
“It’s one of my favorite things to do-carry the football,” Hunt said. “We’ve got to set the tone for the rest of the year.
This is a big one. The Texans are hot, they’ve got a great defense, and we’ve got to come out and play physical.”
That physicality could be the difference. Kansas City came into the season hoping to recapture the explosive, vertical attack that’s become their trademark. But with the offensive line bruised and battered, the path forward might look a lot more like trench warfare than a fireworks show.
Nagy: “It Might Not Be Pretty-And That’s OK”
Nagy didn’t sugarcoat what kind of game this could be.
“When you watch this Texans defense-whether it’s on TV or in the film room-the first thing that jumps out is how relentless they are,” he said. “This probably isn’t going to be a pretty game, and that’s OK.
They don’t allow a lot of points. So we’ve got to be real about how we’re going to win.”
That means execution over elegance. Grit over glamour. And a heavy dose of trust in the guys stepping into the spotlight.
“The message to the offense is simple: do your job, trust your technique, and execute the plan,” Nagy said. “We’ve got a lot of confidence in our guys.
But we also have a lot of respect for who we’re playing. They’re a good football team-and they’re very well coached.”
The Chiefs know what’s at stake. And while it may not be the cleanest game of the season, it just might be one of the most important.