Chiefs Already Rule Out Key Playmaker With Injury in Week 8
The Kansas City Chiefs remain atop the NFL following their 28-18 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7, improving to 6-0 in the process. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows on Sunday, though.
Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster exited the contest with a hamstring injury before being ruled out in the third quarter. The veteran pass-catcher had been dealing with his hamstring issue in the days leading up to the matchup and even carried a 'Questionable' tag on Sunday.
The Chiefs' WR room has already been depleted due to injury, so the last thing they need is for Smith-Schuster to miss any amount of time. Although a quick recovery would be nice, that might not be the case.
Cheifs Injury News: JuJu Smith-Schuster Ruled Out for Week 8
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed on Monday that Smith-Schuster won't face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8, per team insider Matt Derrick. Reid didn't shed any new details on the situation, however, it's clear that the veteran wideout needs more time before he returns to the gridiron.
Andy Reid says WR JuJu Smith-Schuster won't play this week against the Raiders. Doesn't expand on the injury however.
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) October 21, 2024
Reid also didn't initial confirm the NFL Network report of a fractured ankle for CB Justin Watson but says the outcome isn't going to be good.
Regardless of how long he's sidelined, Smith-Schuster's injury couldn't have come at a worse time for himself and the franchise.
After returning to the franchise for his second stint in August, Smith-Schuster struggled to get things going in his first four games. That all changed when he popped off in a Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints, hauling in 7-of-8 targets for 130 receiving yards. Unfortunately, he didn't get the chance to build off that performance in Week 7.
As for the Chiefs, Smith-Schuster is the latest WR to join an expanding injury list. The team already lost Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown to what are likely season-ending injuries, meaning Patrick Mahomes' arsenal is looking as thin as it's ever behind as the midseason point approaches.
This year's trade deadline is on Nov. 5, meaning there's time for the Chiefs to address their injury-riddled wideout group. At the same time, all signs point to general manager Brett Veach looking toward the practice squad for help rather than the trade market.
We'll see how the Chiefs perform without Smith-Schuster when they visit the Raiders on Sunday. Even with the injuries piling up, Kansas City is still projected to be the 9.5-point road favorite over Las Vegas, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
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