UPDATE: The Chiefs say Brown has a calf injury and Brown is questionable to return.
The Kansas City Chiefs might have a potential injury concern before their Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals have even started if NFL reporter James Palmer is right about his observations concerning left tackle Orlando Brown Jr.
Heading into Week 17, Palmer noted that he came out for warmups but then left before everyone else and that he didn’t return to the field with the team from the locker room as both franchises are ready to kick off at Paul Brown Stadium.
Palmer states, “My understanding is he’s getting looked at. Something is bothering him.” That is obviously cryptic and lacks any real definition of what the problem is and/or how severe it is, which leaves us only with more questions. Either way, however, if there’s something that could limit his play or even keep him out of such an important game, the Chiefs are going to find themselves tested up front.
The Chiefs have been tested at right tackle for most of the last two months with the likes of Lucas Niang, Mike Remmers, and Kyle Long out due to injury. Long and Niang are back, but a potential absence for Brown could create a hole on the other side. Perhaps Wylie or Niang could slide out there, but no one is quite sure of Long’s readiness—a veteran who has yet to play in a game for the Chiefs this season.
Brown was an offseason acquisition for the Chiefs in a blockbuster trade with the Baltimore Ravens that brought him over to fill the role left vacant when the Chiefs decided to release Eric Fisher after eight seasons as their starting left tackle. Brown was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl earlier this month, one of six Chiefs voted in among the starters for the NFL’s All-Star exhibition.
More details will be forthcoming about Brown and his status. We’ll keep things updated here.