Chiefs Get Surprise JuJu Smith-Schuster Injury Update Before Week 1

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid gave an exciting health update on WR JuJu Smith-Schuster when speaking to the media on Friday, assuring reporters that the 27-year-old wideout is healthy and should be available in Week 1 against the Ravens.

This represents a pivot from Smith-Schuster's comments earlier in the week that he wasn't sure if he'd be ready to play.

Smith-Schuster may have been referring to how quickly he'd catch up to speed with Kansas City's offense after being in New England, though his knees are a consistent issue and a large reason Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said they let him go. If he's healthy, that's a welcome boost for this upcoming AFC Championship rematch.

Andy Reid Says WR JuJu Smith-Schuster is Healthy and Available in Week 1

While the team plans to manage his knee and workload, Smith-Schuster's good bill of health could raise the offense's floor. We're just two years removed from him catching 78 passes for 933 yards as an effective chain-mover, which is a lot more than we could say for Skyy Moore or the recently cut Kadarius Toney.

Marquise "Hollywood" Brown won't be available in Week 1 but is trending in the right direction overall, so the Chiefs' wide receiver room suddenly looks almost healthy and quite dangerous. With Rashee Rice's suspension seemingly not coming until 2025 and first-round rookie Xavier Worthy burning defensive backs in practice, Kansas City's biggest weakness in 2023 may now be a strength.

Fans shouldn't expect a season approaching 1,000 yards from Smith-Schuster again. He likely projects as the fifth receiver on the depth chart behind the above three and Justin Watson, but that's a significantly better fifth option than the Chiefs had previously.

This organization is gearing up for a three-peat. Injuries seem to be the only thing that could truly derail this season. Going into the first game, Kansas City is hearing good news on just about everyone.

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