On a day in which the NFL was ravaged with a slew of injuries, the Chiefs were not immune themselves.
Midway through the first slate of NFL games in Week 2, the list of serious injuries was jaw-dropping. By the time kickoff rolled around in Los Angeles for the showdown between the Chargers and the visiting Kansas City Chiefs, names like Nick Bosa, Saquon Barkley, Drew Lock, and Jimmy Garoppolo had all been knocked out of their respective games with serious injuries.
As for the Chargers and Chiefs themselves, they weren’t immune to the unfortunate day that hit nearly every franchise in the league. Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor aggravated an injury in pre-game, so the Chiefs were mildly surprised to see rookie Justin Herbert under center in his first NFL action.
Already without defenders Bashaud Breeland, Mike Pennel, Charvarius Ward, and Khalen Saunders, the Chiefs’ defense took the field short-handed in L.A. Here’s a run-down of Kansas City’s injury list:
- Wide receiver Sammy Watkins took a hard shot to the head after a 4th quarter reception and was taken to the locker room. He did not return.
- Defensive end Frank Clark left at halftime with an undefined illness.
- Running back Darrel Williams left in the first half with an ankle injury. He was replaced by Darwin Thompson, who got four carries in his place.
- Cornerback Antonio Hamilton left in the first half with a groin injury suffered on a punt.
- Linebacker Damien Wilson left after putting a vicious hit on Herbert, but did return to action.
- Linebacker Anthony Hitchens left in the first half with an undefined injury, but returned in the second half.
Fortunately, Kansas City appears to have escaped Los Angeles 23-20 winners, and without any major injuries—at least as far as we can tell for now. We will provide updates on Watkins, Clark, Williams and Hamilton as soon as we get them.
The Chiefs will travel to Baltimore to take on the 2-0 Ravens to wrap up Week 3 next Monday at 7:15pm Arrowhead Time on ESPN.