Kelechi Osemele’s season is likely finished for Kansas City Chiefs

Reports are confirming that Kelechi Osemele’s season is likely over for the Chiefs.

The Athletic’s Nate Taylor is confirming what most of us initially believed when we saw Kansas City Chiefs left guard Kelechi Osemele go down during the team’s Week 5 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders: that his season is likely over.

On Sunday afternoon, the Chiefs watched Osemele fall in the first quarter while pointing to his knee, indicating that he’d been injured on a non-contact play while trying to hustle and block for a scrambling Patrick Mahomes. From there, the Chiefs called out a cart, adding to the apparent seriousness of the injury.

From there, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed after the game that Osemele had actually torn tendons in both knees on the play. From that point, it was hard to imagine that Osemele would be able to suit up again in 2020, but no further details were available at that point—until Taylor’s report confirmed the team’s fears.

For now, the Chiefs must reset their offensive front and try to replace the mauler they signed to add so much power and toughness up front. Osemele has ingratiated himself quickly with both teammates and fans and it’s clear his presence and experience will be missed up front—even after just four games with the franchise.

The Chiefs are due to get Martinas Rankin back from injury sometime soon, and veteran guard Mike Remmers is available to start in Osemele’s place as well. Nick Allegretti and Daniel Kilgore also have experience at guard, and Yasir Durant is a rookie free agent who the Chiefs were inclined to slide inside.

Osemele signed just a one-year deal with the Chiefs, so he’s scheduled to be a free agent after this season is over.