Following a Super Bowl-winning season, the Kansas City Chiefs started the new NFL campaign in a rather disappointing fashion. Though they bounced back soon and snatched four victories in a row, the team’s offense is struggling in almost every match with injuries of their key players.
However, the Chiefs received some unsettling information on their last injury report prior to their Week 6 matchup with the Denver Broncos, including the presence of three of their crucial players as questionable.
Chiefs’ Kelce, Karlaftis, Townsend questionable for vital clash
The Chiefs listed tight end Travis Kelce, defensive end George Karlaftis, and punter Tommy Townsend as questionable in their most recent injury report for their Week 6 matchup on Thursday.
Travis Kelce, George Karlaftis, and Tommy Townsend are questionable for tomorrow night's game.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 11, 2023
In the first half of the team’s 27-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings last week, Kelce suffered a right ankle injury. However, the tight end came back onto the field for the second half and contributed significantly to his team’s triumph by receiving a touchdown pass.
Townsend is coping with a left knee ailment. The KC team will undoubtedly suffer if he is forced to miss the game because they do not have a backup punter on the practice squad. A hamstring injury has been reported for George Karlaftis.
The three players had limited practice time on Wednesday. Whether they play or not will depend on the team’s decisions made at game time on Thursday night.
Mahomes used 4 different Chiefs receivers with Kelce on sidelines
The Minnesota Vikings were the only team that remained unbeaten by the Chiefs’ two-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. The star player not only defeated the Vikings 27-20 to extend their record to 4-1 but also set a record by beating all NFL teams except his own team so far in his career.
However, the victory was not an easy one for the Chiefs as the offensive lineup was spotted struggling much against the Vikings’ defense. Amid these Kelce’s injury carried much concern for the team. Hence, with the two-time Super Bowl winner tight end sidelined, the Kansas City team used four receivers namely rookie receiver Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, and Justyn Ross on different occasions to work hand in hand with Pat.
Rice was an important part of the rotation, just as he had been in his prior outings as a reserve receiver. He has caught 17 catches for 173 yards and two scores in his first five games of the season.
Watson, however, has accrued the most yards this year among Chiefs’ pass catchers other than Kelce. While his team was struggling without Kelce, the receiver came through with a pair of crucial catches on the evening. He was seen receiving a third-and-18 conversion from Mahomes on an absurd 33-yard pass.
Additionally, against the Vikings, Ross, who had been limited to a supporting role in Kansas City’s first five games, performed at a pro level. The Chiefs supporters were able to find comfort despite the injuries to their star-tight end due to Justin’s amazing leaping catch. As part of his team’s victory over the Vikings, another receiver Moore had a productive evening, collecting both of his team’s targets for a total of 11 yards.
Nevertheless, their injury reports for Week 6 suggest that their Broncos clash will not be an easy one. What’s your opinion? Share with us in the comment box.
