THE Kansas City Chiefs are looking banged up ahead of their 2024 season-opener on Thursday.
The Chiefs and Ravens are squaring off on Thursday Night Football to open the NFL season, but Kansas City is at risk of playing without some big stars.
The Chiefs already know they will be without new wide receiver Marquise Brown after he suffered a SC joint injury.
Head coach Andy Reid said Brown has progressed well, but not enough to make the opening game.
“I don’t think you’ll have Hollywood this week,” Reid said.
“Hollywood won’t be back this week, and we’ll just see how it goes, but the kid’s amazing.
“His progress has been incredible, but I wouldn’t predict him being there this week.”
Defensive lineman Chris Jones also found his name on the injury report, which would be a massive blow to the Chiefs.
Jones signed a massive five-year, $158.75 million deal in the offseason to make him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league.
He is one of the NFL’s best defensive players, registering 10.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss last season.
Starting 2024 without Jones would be a huge blow for the Chiefs.
Outside of Brown and Jones, the Chiefs listed seven other players on their injury report ahead of Week 1.
The following Chiefs players were listed on the practice report:
- Marquise Brown – WR
- Nazeeh Johnson – CB
- Chris Jones – DL
- Joshua Williams – CB
- Nick Bolton – LB
- Wanya Morria – OL
- Derrick Nnadi – DT
- Joe Thuney – G
- James Winchester – LS
Fortunately for the Chiefs, all players except Brown were listed as full participants, and are likely on track to play on Thursday.
Brown will likely continue to be held out of practice until he is healthy enough to play in a game.
On the other side of Thursday Night Football, the Ravens are also dealing with some injuries, but not to the same extent.
Baltimore only listed two players on their practice report, but neither were full participants.
Running back Rasheen Allen was listed as a limited participant at practice, but wouldn’t be a huge loss if he sat out of the game.
The Ravens signed Derrick Henry in the offseason to be their new primary running back.
Linebacker Adisa Isaac was listed as a DNP (did not participate), and his status for the season-opener is unclear.