KC Chiefs injury update: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif expected back for Week 1

The sights are now officially set on Week 1. As the K.C. Chiefs prepare to host the Cleveland Browns for the team’s opening contest of the 2021 regular season, general manager Brett Veach said he’s expecting offensive linemen Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Austin Blythe back in time to play.

Of course, for either one to play is a bit of a misnomer considering that both players are backups at this point on a remade offensive front that features three rookies as starters—including in both spots that both Blythe and LDT would likely play.

That said, it’s nice to see the Chiefs getting their offensive line back at full strength after suffering through several injuries in the preseason. Blythe is slowly making his way back from a sports hernia surgery that has kept him out of several practices and the team’s final preseason game.

The Chiefs are expecting LDT, Blythe back for Week 1.

As for Duvernay-Tardif, he suffered a broken hand earlier in the preseason and was initially feared to miss 4-6 weeks. However, LDT now appears to be on the shorter end of that timeline with a potential return for Week 1. That gives the Chiefs a bit more security on the right side of the line and the knowledge that they should be set in case of any interior injuries.

Duvernay-Tardif hoped to return from a year in which he opted out (to bravely work on the front line as a doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic) and reclaim his starting spot at right guard. Instead, the Chiefs found themselves the steal of the 2021 NFL Draft in former Tennessee prospect Trey Smith, who has claimed the starting role from the beginning of the preseason to great acclaim.

Blythe first signed with the Chiefs this offseason as a free agent option at center after the team let Austin Reiter leave to test the open market. Reiter was the starting center for the last two years, but the Chiefs pivoted to Blythe, who has starting experience at both guard and center for the L.A. Rams. However, the selection of Creed Humphrey in the second round of the draft pushed him to reserve status.

The Chiefs host the Browns on Sunday, September 12 at 3:25 p.m. C.T.