The Chiefs will be down a key weapon when they take the field against the Chargers in Week 15.
Head coach Andy Reid confirmed Friday that wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown will not play Sunday due to a personal matter. Brown has been a steady contributor in his second season with Kansas City, hauling in 42 catches for 494 yards and five touchdowns through 13 games. His absence takes away one of Patrick Mahomes’ more reliable targets-especially in a receiving corps that’s still searching for consistency.
But the bigger concern might be up front.
Three offensive linemen-Wanya Morris, Trey Smith, and Jawaan Taylor-have all been ruled out after missing Friday’s practice. Smith had been trending in the wrong direction all week, going from limited on Thursday to a full DNP on Friday.
That’s a significant hit to the Chiefs’ protection unit, especially considering how important it is to keep Mahomes upright and comfortable in the pocket. With three starters sidelined, Kansas City will have to shuffle pieces and rely on depth players to hold the line-literally.
And the injury questions don’t stop there.
Cornerback Trent McDuffie is officially questionable with a knee issue. McDuffie has been a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ secondary this season, and his availability could have a major impact on how Kansas City matches up against a Chargers offense that, while inconsistent, still has the ability to stretch the field.
As for Mahomes, he’s dealing with a knee issue of his own, but the reigning MVP was a full participant in practice all week and is expected to suit up without limitations. That’s the good news. But with a banged-up offensive line and one of his top receivers unavailable, Mahomes may have to do even more heavy lifting than usual to keep the offense humming.
Bottom line: the Chiefs are heading into a divisional matchup with some significant personnel challenges. It’s a test of depth, resilience, and Mahomes’ ability to elevate the players around him-something he’s done time and time again.