Antonio Hamilton leaves Chiefs-Chargers with groin injury

The Chiefs have lost Antonio Hamilton to a groin injury vs. the Chargers.

The Kansas City Chiefs have lost cornerback Antonio Hamilton to a groin injury early in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers. The team announced that he is questionable to return in Week 2.

Hamilton joined the Chiefs this offseason from the New York Giants with a one-year contract and was expected to serve primarily as special teams help along with cornerback depth. Dave Toub praised him as a special teams addition, and the Chiefs immediately installed him as a gunner and core-four player there.

However, in Week 1, it was clear that Hamilton has also earned the chance to be a bigger presence for the team’s defense than initially expected. Last week, Hamilton played on 64 percent of all defensive snaps for the Chiefs in their season-opening win over the Houston Texans.

The loss of Hamilton further exacerbates the need at cornerback given the absence of two starters coming into the game. Charvarius Ward fractured his hand last week against the Texans and was unable to turn the corner and play with a cast so soon for the Chiefs defense. Bashaud Breeland has been suspended for the first four games of the season and won’t return until Week 5.

If Hamilton is unable to return, the pressure increases on a young, inexperienced secondary made up of second-year sixth round pick Rashad Fenton and rookies like L’Jarius Sneed and Thakarius “BoPete” Keyes. Tyrann Mathieu can help inside, but the Chiefs are going to need young players to step up significantly in order to overcome the Chargers and move to 2-0.