He might never player again: Kansas City Chiefs star player serious injury

The Kansas City Chiefs will be without three offensive contributors in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Left tackle Donovan Smith (neck), wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hip), and running back Jerick McKinnon (groin) are among those injured. On December 23, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed the absences to media members (via Chiefs Digest source Matt Derrick).

Rookie LT Wanya Morris, veteran WR Richie James, and injury returnee Isiah Pacheco will most likely fill in for the trio.

Toney’s main difficulty last season was availability, however he did show improved production on the field.

Despite many persistent injuries, he’s done a much better job of suiting up for games in 2023, but his most recent setbacks have been drops and penalties. Toney has been inactive only twice this season (including Week 16). Both absences, ironically, will be against the Raiders.

In what has been a very poor season for the former New York Giants first-round pick, he has totaled 169 receiving yards and 31 rushing yards with one touchdown and 14 first downs.

James could see more action in Week 16 on Monday, December 18, according to Coach Reid. Toney’s injury only adds to the possibility.

James could see more action in Week 16 on Monday, December 18, according to Coach Reid. Toney’s injury only adds to the possibility.

McKinnon is another KC injury report regular. Christmas Day will be only his third official absence of the season, but the veteran, like Toney, has been troubled by niggling problems all year.

Prior to Reid’s statement, Charles Goldman of A-to-Z Sports Kansas City noted that “if RB Jerick McKinnon can’t go – RB Keaontay Ingram would be in line to be elevated from the practice squad.”

“The Chiefs have already used all three standard elevations on RB La’Mical Perine (Week 2, Week 9, Week 12) and RB Deneric Prince (Week 13, Week 14, Week 15),” he went on to say.

On November 30, Ingram joined the Chiefs practice squad for the first time. He’s got less than a month to study Reid’s and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy’s playbook.

Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ quarterback, refers to Wanya Morris as a “battler.”
On December 21, Patrick Mahomes discussed Morris’ sudden ascension to the starting lineup.

“I think the way you know [he’s progressed] is that he’s a battler,” Mahomes said of his rookie counterpart.

“He’s someone who’s going to go out there and fight the entire game,” the quarterback continued. “He’s getting better and better as far as technique and little things that we do within our offense and how [O-line] coach [Andy] Heck wants it.”

Morris is “going to finish every play,” according to Mahomes, and if he loses a rep, his philosophy is that “he’s gonna win [the next] one.”

Morris has played at least 40 offensive snaps in each of the last three weeks. Despite Kansas City going 1-2 over that time, the 2023 third-round pick has held his own.

Morris has yet to be charged with a sack in pass protection, according to Pro Football Focus. His nine quarterback pressures were distributed as follows: one against the Raiders in Week 12, one at Green Bay, five against the Buffalo Bills, and two against the Patriots.

These efforts have resulted in a pass blocker grade of 67.8. Morris’ run-blocking marks were less generous, with PFF giving him a 56.3.

“He’s not gonna let anything affect his mentality,” Mahomes said of the youngster. “It’s amazing when you throw a young person in there like that. He approaches the bat, gets a base hit, or hits a home run… He’s all set to leave.”