Concerning Injury to Chiefs Starter Complicates Position Battle

The Chiefs' wide receiver room became even more complicated during Saturday's preseason loss to the Jaguars. Presumptive starter Hollywood Brown suffered a shoulder injury and while his exact timeline to return isn't yet clear, it's likely he'll miss the start of the regular season.

He'll still take up a roster spot provided he's not placed on the Injured Reserve list, though Kansas City will now have to rely on receivers farther down the depth chart against the Ravens and Bengals in their first two contests.

Brown's injury increases the likelihood that the Chiefs keep seven receivers. Who exactly will comprise that group remains a difficult question to answer.

Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown's Injury Complicates Position Battle

Brown, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Justin Watson are virtual locks. Mecole Hardman feels that way too, despite an embarrassing mistake that gifted the Jaguars a safety.

Justyn Ross is surging. He made an impressive sideline toe-tapping 23-yard catch and had another catch called back due to penalty. After becoming a fan-favorite last year, it appears Ross has a legitimate chance to make the 53-man roster.

Nikko Remigio caught three passes for 35 yards to lead the team in receiving. However, he was bailed out by a poor call by the referees after letting a defender rip the ball out of his hands for a defensive TD. Remigio bobbled a punt out of bounds too. Purely from my eyes, it did not feel like a good day for his chances to make the team.

Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore factor into the equation as well. Both of them are facing potential cuts though their inaction in the preseason game didn't indicate anything positive or negative.

Overall, it's a crowded room with more questions than answers. If Brown misses four games like Tyreek Hill did with the same injury in 2019, Ross and Remigio's chances improve.

We'll see what happens with Brown's status this week. He's been released from the hospital in Jacksonville though shoulder injuries so quickly are a bad sign for his future. Here's hoping he'll be ready to go in Week 1, but that looks unlikely at this point.

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