The Kansas City Chiefs were dealing with a couple injuries after playing the San Francisco 49ers on Friday night, but nothing seemed to be too serious.
Every team is dealing with various injuries after the first week of the preseason, and the Kansas City Chiefs are no different. Not only were several players scratched from ever playing in the preseason opener at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday night, but wide receiver Chris Conley and cornerback Phillip Gaines suffered new injuries that will require further attention.
In remarks made after the Chiefs loss to the press, head coach Andy Reid clarified the injuries, saying that Conley was dealing with a knee contusion and that Gaines had dislocated a finger. It’s unclear how much both injuries will keep the players from being able to work out or play in next week’s game.
For Conley, each game is an important step toward earning more of a leadership role on Andy Reid’s offense. As a strong vocal player who has been earning more targets, Conley seems well-suited to step in a bigger way in 2017 along with Tyreek Hill. A knee contusion could create more reps and looks for competitors DeMarcus Robinson, Seantavious Jones and Jehu Chesson.
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As for Gaines, it’s unfortunate timing during a red-hot competition to see who can step up opposite Marcus Peters. Steven Nelson can certainly compete outside despite being often thought of as a smaller slot corner. Terrance Mitchell held things down during the final stretch of last season. Gaines has the athleticism and length but inconsistency and health have always been a concern.
Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how long each player is out and how the team adjusts in practice, including who is shifted on the depth chart.