One Bad Ankle, One Clean Bill of Health
The Kansas City Chiefs lost their first preseason game to the Los Angeles Rams 20-12 on Saturday. Fans usually worry about the score, but the real story is who walked off the field. Head coach Andy Reid addressed the media after the loss with a short list of injuries. He did not sugarcoat the situation or hide behind vague terms. The coach stated, “As far as injuries go,” he began, “really, it was just Chu Godrick had an ankle sprain. Other than that, there were no other injuries.”
This is a massive relief for a team that needs every body part working. The only player who left with a reported issue was tackle Chu Godrick. He was listed as questionable in the fourth quarter due to that ankle problem. Reid made it clear that no one else on the roster has a new injury to report. The team avoided the disaster of losing key starters in an exhibition game.
Rest for the Stars, Work for the Rest
The starters barely touched the field, which was the main goal for Reid. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and wide receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy were on the sideline but did not play. Newly signed defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah also sat out. The coaching staff wanted to get the young guys some reps without risking the veterans. Running back Kenneth Walker exited after just the first offensive snap. The entire starting offensive line was replaced after the first possession.
Defensive stars got very little time too. Chris Jones played only one defensive snap. George Karlaftis and Nick Bolton left during the first series. This heavy rotation means the backup players had to carry the load. Rookie running back Emmett Johnson led the team in rushing with 59 yards on 12 attempts. Rookie quarterback Garrett Nussmeier completed 13 of 19 passes for 98 yards. Second-year tight end Jake Briningstool caught three passes for 29 yards. These numbers show the depth is getting tested in live action.
Who Is Sitting on the Sidelines?
While the starters rested, several players did not dress for the game at all due to existing injuries. Per Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest, wide receiver Jimmy Holiday was out with an undisclosed issue. Right guard Trey Smith missed the contest with a hip injury. Linebacker Drue Tranquill stayed out due to a back problem. The secondary was also short-handed. Defensive backs Chamarri Conner, Kader Kohu, and L’Jarius Sneed all missed the game because of knee injuries.
Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott remains on the physically unable to perform list. He has not practiced yet at training camp. The team is managing a long list of bodies, but the core group seems healthy. The loss to the Rams was frustrating, but the health report is the real win. If the roster stays this clean through the rest of preseason, the regular season starts with a full deck. The Chiefs need to keep this momentum going into the next game.
