Chiefs’ Offense Needs McCluster Back
When the Kansas City Chiefs begin their preparations for the Denever Broncos today, they will hopefully do so with the services of rookie WR Dexter McCluster.
The Chiefs are 1-1 since McCluster went down with what is believed to be a high ankle sprain. In both games he has missed, the Chiefs have struggled on offense, scoring only 13 points against Buffalo and 20 in Oakland.
While McCluster hasn’t put up huge numbers for the Chiefs when he was playing, his contributions to the offense have been enormous. McCluster must be watched closely whenever he is on the field, whether he actually ends up with the football or not. His speed and versatility make him an extremely dangerous offensive weapon and a perfect decoy for a team like the Chiefs that likes to run the football.
More after the jump.
The Chiefs were working to get McCluster more involved in the offense just before his injury. In McCluster’s first three games as a pro, he received 9 touches for 80 yards. In his last three games before his injury, he received 17 touches for 127 yards. The Chiefs were making it a point to give McCluster more touches at running back and he was also looking more at home as a slot receiver. McCluster was also making a big impact in the return game as he provided a very dynamic relief option to Javier Arenas, especially if Arenas was winded from playing defense.
McCluster has now missed two weeks of practice since the injury. Nick Wright of 610 Sports initially reported that McCluster would miss several weeks. Thus far, he has been accurate. Depending on how you interpret several you could come to the conclusion that McCluster will likely miss this week’s game as well. If the injury is a high ankle sprain, the Chiefs are likely being cautious with McCluster. High ankle sprains are a tricky injury and can linger if they aren’t given enough time to heal. Rushing McCluster back could make things worse.
Still, the Chiefs offense has been stagnant the last two weeks and could desperately use McClusters services sooner rather than later.
We’re likely to find out a bit more today when the Chiefs release their practice report. McCluster has been listed as limited the last two weeks. If he participates fully today It would be a good sign for the possibility of him playing Sunday.
What do you think Addicts? Should the Chiefs rush McCluster back this week to try to keep control of their division lead or should they get him fully healthy and try to take care of business without him?