Mitch Morse out for season after being placed on Chiefs injured reserve

The Kansas City Chiefs will be without starting center Mitch Morse for the rest of the season after the team placed him on injured reserve.

When he’s healthy, Mitch Morse is not only one of the Kansas City Chiefs’ most versatile linemen, but he might also be their most talented overall.

As the anchor in the middle, Morse has been an above average starter since he first arrived in the NFL as the Chiefs’ second round pick in the 2015 draft. Each year he’s shown growth with experience and this seemed like the year that the rest of the NFL might take notice and grant him his first Pro Bowl nod. Instead, Morse has struggled to even stay on the field.

Morse’s injury woes in 2017 began in Week 2 with a foot sprain suffered in the team’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Morse not only left the game early but sat out until Week 8 when he was able to finally play pain-free. Unfortunately it only lasted a few weeks until Week 13 when Morse once again sprained his foot. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, it’s a re-injury that will cost the Chiefs dearly along the line for as long as this season rolls on.

The team had kept Morse active on the roster despite knowing he would be out for a bit, likely with the hopes that an elongated playoff run might bring Morse back into the fold. However even making the playoffs at this point is not considered a given, so it’s clear that they need to be wise with every active roster slot, bringing in someone who is available at a position of need.

Zach Fulton will be the primary back-up and Cam Erving can also likely line up at center if needed. Here’s hoping the team can minimize the loss along the front and that Morse is able to get healthy for the long haul once again.