KC Chiefs are now missing their top three offensive tackles with back pain
By Matt Conner
The Chiefs are now missing multiple offensive tackles in practice with back injuries.
If you thought the offensive line could be a problem area before, wait until you see the Kansas City Chiefs injury report from Wednesday’s practice. Starting left tackle Eric Fisher has joined his teammates Mitchell Schwartz and Mike Remmers on the sidelines of Wednesdays practice as all three tackles—both starting tackles and the primary swing tackle—sat out of practice.
The Chiefs have been without Schwartz ever since he exited the team’s win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 6 with back pain. He was placed on injured reserve and is technically eligible to come off, but reports say he’s not ready to return to the lineup yet. Given how long it has been, Schwartz will likely need plenty of practice time before he’s ready on game day as it is.
On Sunday, Remmers, who had stepped in on the right side for Schwartz over the last several starts, was forced to leave the game with a back injury and rookie free agent Yasir Durant stepped in and took over. It was assumed that if Remmers could not return to play in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints, then Durant would likely start again. But now the Chiefs have issues on the other side.
Fisher has been the ironman this year for a patchwork line that has endured multiple changes at every other position. The losses have piled up for the Chiefs due to injuries and opt outs and even the center position, which did not have to deal with changes went through a back and forth with Austin Reiter and Daniel Kilgore to see which was the better fit. Unfortunately Fisher missed Wednesday’s practice with, you guessed it, back pain.
If both starting tackles (or assumed starting tackles) were unavailable for the Chiefs, then it’s likely that Durant and perhaps Bryan Witzmann could set up outside for the Chiefs. If that sounds unappealing, you would be correct. However, at this point, it’s slim pickings for the Chiefs offensive line. Perhaps Martinas Rankin can step outside for the Chiefs, or maybe Andrew Wylie kicks out as Stefen Wisniewski steps in. There are possibilities but none of them are as assuring as the typical guys getting healthy.
The Chiefs travel to New Orleans to face the Saints on Sunday afternoon at 3:25 p.m. C.T.