As the Kansas City Chiefs travel and prepare for the most important game of the season to this point, Steve Spagnuolo might have to do some major re-tweaking of how he uses his defensive personnel this week. Rookie first-and second-round picks Mansoor Delane and R Mason Thomas are both listed as questionable versus the 5-2 Denver Broncos.
In the case of Thomas, it's pretty straightforward. He missed Friday's practice due to what the Chiefs listed as "personal" on their pre-game injury report. While it's not known exactly what situation he's been dealing with, it is serious enough to at least put his availability in jeopardy versus a very good Broncos offensive line, where the Chiefs could really use a speed rusher like Thomas.
Delane's absence is more concerning for a number of reasons. After missing the majority of training camp with a shoulder injury, and then aggravating the ailment in this year's season opener after picking off Bo Nix, forcing him to miss Week 2, Delane returned to action and played about as well as you'd hope the No. 6 overall pick would.
However, missing both Thursday and Friday practice sessions with the same injury is troubling, to say the least. This seems like an injury Delane just can't shake, and it leaves his status very up in the air.
Star rookie defenders Mansoor Delane and R Mason Thomas both listed as questionable after missing practice this week
The silver lining? Denver's offense is not good, and it hasn't been particularly good at any point so far this season. Whether it is head coach Sean Payton calling the plays or up-and-coming offensive voice Davis Webb, the Broncos' problems don't lie with the playcaller. The fault is largely on the quarterback, who just refuses to throw the ball downfield when receivers are open.
Denver ranks 25th in points scored per game (20.6), 28th in total yards (294.5), and bottom five in third-down percentage (34.6%). If there was any game that the Chiefs could be okay being without their star rookie corner in Delane, it's this one. The Broncos' top two receivers, Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton, have combined for less than 450 yards through the air over seven games.
Even more apparent is when Delane left Week 1 after three plays, and the receiving pair combined for 13 yards on three catches. Nohl Williams has been a star in his second year, and Kristian Fulton, as the first backup option on the boundary, has been much better than he was in his first year in KC.
R Mason Thomas recorded his first career sack on Nix in Week 1 and was a constant pressure threat off the edge. He's only gotten better as the season has gone along and will be a big loss, assuming he doesn't suit up for this one. The Chiefs will have to rely on Ashton Gillotte and Felix Anudike-Uzomah to step up in his absence, with George Karlaftis manning the other starting edge spot.
Quite frankly, Thomas not playing is going to be a loss. But it would feel like a far smaller loss if the Chiefs' interior, notably Chris Jones, had his first game of the season where he really earned his over $44 million paycheck. Kansas City needs production from the defensive interior; this would be a perfect week to get it.
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