The Kansas City Chiefs are playing it safe with wide receiver Tyreek Hill in Saturday’s game against the Denver Broncos. The team’s most dynamic offensive weapon is reportedly dealing with a heel issue that they aren’t terming an “injury”, per ESPN sideline reporter Laura Rutledge during the broadcast.
Hill has been missing on several plays during the team’s opening touchdown drive of 17 plays, and he was on the sidelines once again as the Chiefs began their next drive in the first quarter.
It makes sense for the Chiefs not to push anything with Hill knowing that they already have a postseason position locked up. They are still playing for a lot in that they can claim the No. 1 seed in the AFC, or at least secure that second spot, with a win over Denver, but Hill’s importance to this team’s offensive potential is paramount over anything else and there’s no need to risk anything.
Hill is the Chiefs’ top wide receiver with 110 catches with 1,237 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns in 16 games so far in 2021. He was named to his seventh Pro Bowl in seven seasons earlier this season.
Without Hill in the game, the offense will feel the pressure of needing someone else to step up to help stretch the defense—most likely Mecole Hardman who has similar speed along with Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson.