The losses began before the Kansas City Chiefs even officially took the field at Paul Brown Stadium to face the Cincinnati Bengals. Perhaps that should have served as a warning sign for K.C. in a long afternoon against Cincy that ended with a 34-31 loss to Joe Burrow and company.
Before the Chiefs could even start, just as players were on the field doing warm-ups, NFL reporter James Palmer noted that left tackle Orlando Brown was seen leaving the field and he did not come back to the sidelines with the rest of his team. From there, the CHiefs declared that Brown had suffered a calf strain and that he was going to be questionable to come back to the game.
Based on Reid’s tone, it was clear he didn’t believe the injury was a serious one going forward, and Ian Rapoport reported after the game that an MRI came out with better news.
Orlando Brown had an MRI on his calf, and source described the injury as minor. Good news going forward for the #Chiefs. https://t.co/0pOVQUcuQB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 2, 2022
Without Brown in the lineup, the Chiefs turned to Joe Thuney to take over on the left side to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blindside after also losing Lucas Niang after a mere six snaps in replacement of Brown. Niang suffered a patellar tendon injury, per reports.
Moving forward, the Chiefs might be forced to stick with Thuney outside if Brown cannot go in Week 18. The Chiefs know that the postseason is what matters most and no one wants to rush Brown back before he’s ready. That said, he’s a Pro Bowl performer who has looked better as the season has gone on and the Chiefs are looking very thin at tackle right now.
More details to come later this week as the team begins its practice schedule for Week 18 against the Broncos.