The Kansas City Chiefs have been missing some key faces on defense through the first four games of the 2021 regular season. The results have been mixed with a 2-2 record overall, despite a dominant offense that moves the chains with ease. The good news is that a recent signing on that side of the ball should make Patrick Mahomes and company even more dangerous, while on the other side, the defense is getting some familiar faces back in Week 5 and beyond.
We thought we’d break down some familiar faces coming back that will serve as important reinforcements for the Chiefs this week.
Willie Gay
The long-awaited arrival of Gay could not come at a better time than the Buffalo Bills game in which the team’s coverage will be tested by pass-catching backs and smart possession receivers.
Gay has been missing the last four weeks due to a toe injury suffered during the Chiefs’ final preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. Since then, the Chiefs placed the second-year linebacker on their injured reserve list and they’re still waiting on him to make his debut in 2021.
The expectations are high for Gay coming into this season based on the potential for which they drafted him and the way he looked in the preseason. Gay was always going to be a big physical player known for his strength who could also keep up with most players sideline to sideline. He’s the best athlete overall in the front seven, and his presence in the heart of the defense will stymie offenses in ways the Chiefs simply have not been able to do through the first quarter season.
During the preseason, Gay looked like a man possessed, the sort of leap every coach hopes to see from a second-year player as he was frustrating offenses left and right. Can that carry over to the regular season? Is the toe injury still a concern? We’re not quite sure what to expect here—that is, if Gay plays at all—but if you’re looking at reinforcements, Gay will be back sometime soon and we can only hope he’s back on Sunday night.