The Kansas City Chiefs face a tough test in Week 9 as the defending AFC Champions will start the second half of the regular season on the road in hostile territory, as the Buffalo Bills will play host to what could be yet another playoff preview.
While there are still several injury situations that need to play themselves out between now and Sunday afternoon's kickoff in Orchard Park, Kansas City received a bit of good news on that front on Friday as head coach Andy Reid revealed that he expects key offensive guard Trey Smith to be in uniform and available to play, according to Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star.
After missing the Chiefs' Week 8 victory over the Washington Commanders with back spasms, Smith should be taking his normal spot on the offensive line against the Bills to help keep All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes upright in the pocket so he can do what he does best: deliver the ball downfield.
Andy Reid Expects Trey Smith to Return to Lineup Against Bills
Smith returned to the practice field this week as a limited participant. Now, he has shown enough on the practice field to warrant an actual conversation about his ability to suit up in Week 9 rather than just the hope that it could happen.
Back issues are a tricky thing, especially when it comes to linemen. Kansas City has every reason to want to ensure it is taking all the necessary precautions to ensure the former Tennessee Volunteers standout is not risking further injury.
As Matt Conner of Arrowhead Addict explained, there is a rather significant drop-off from Smith to any of the potential replacements for him in the starting lineup. Conner used Mike Caliendo as a specific example, but to be honest, the available replacements are all backups for a reason.
With the Josh Simmons situation still ongoing, Kansas City can use all the healthy first-team players they can have available to block for Mahomes and this rushing attack. Chiefs fans already know that nothing will come easy for them against the Bills, given how previous battles between these two sides have played out. Kansas City doesn't need to do any extra favors for Buffalo by holding out players who could provide the team with a boost.
What Smith can provide remains to be seen, but the fact that he is healthy enough for Reid to make this statement on a Friday is as positive a sign as fans could ask for, though.