As the K.C. Chiefs prepare for their season-opening game against the Cleveland Browns, they’re going to need all of their resources to start the season off well with a front-loaded schedule. Unfortunately, the team has yet to know whether or not they will be able to start the year with the heart and soul of their defense since Tyrann Mathieu remains on the team’s COVID/Reserve list.
#Chiefs head coach Andy Reid says that C Austin Blythe (sport hernia) and S Tyrann Mathieu (COVID-19 list) won’t practice Wednesday ahead of Chiefs-Browns. Blythe will do some work and is coming along, per Reid.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) September 8, 2021
The Chiefs first placed Mathieu on the COVID list late last week when he first tested positive, but the team has remained positive in their belief that he will likely be able to play. For any player to return from the COVID/reserve list, he needs to have two negative tests 24 hours apart, which means it takes a few days total in order to return to the team.
The Chiefs still don’t know if Tyrann Mathieu will play or not in Week 1.
Mathieu comes into the season hoping for a new contract extension, and the Chiefs have made it clear they’re ready to give him one when the timing is right. That’s nebulous but no one would doubt Mathieu’s importance to the team. Going without him against such a talented offense like Cleveland’s would only enhance his importance, even as the Chiefs would likely make do with other talented defensive backs like Juan Thornhill, L’Jarius Sneed and more.
If Mathieu is unable to go, the Chiefs would rely on Dan Sorensen and Thornhill for starter’s reps and Armani Watts would certainly get more play. The Chiefs let Will Parks go earlier this offseason who played a similar sort of versatile DB role that Mathieu does, which likely shows more confidence in other corners to shift their assignments a bit.
In the end, the Chiefs remain hopeful that Mathieu can play, so fans should follow suit. Mathieu is one of the single best safeties in the league and led the Chiefs with six interceptions last season, so it will be a major storyline for the game leading up to kickoff until fans know one way or the other if he will be available.