Ranking KC Chiefs biggest injury concerns heading into Super Bowl LVII
By Matt Conner
6. Trey Smith
It’s hard not to want to put another receiver here just yet, and we’ll get there shortly, but first we’ve gotta head into the front lines for the sake of their importance in a game like this.
They say the game is won or lost in the trenches, and that feels especially true in the NFL postseason. No other team in the NFL has the talent or depth on both lines like the Philadelphia Eagles. Their offensive line is arguably the league’s best overall—anchored by Travis Kelce’s brother, Jason, as their center—and the defensive line led the entire NFL with an astonishing 70 sacks (four players had 11 or more in the regular season).
Given the injury to Mahomes already, the Chiefs’ offensive front is going to need their starting five playing at their best, which is what makes Trey Smith’s ankle such an important focus at this stage.
Smith is a second-year starter who has been such a surprising performer from the outset, a young mauler who has turned into the steal of the 2021 NFL Draft. While he’s not the technician that Creed Humphrey is at center, Smith is incredibly strong and should continue to grow into one of the best at his position heading into his third season in the league next year.
For this contest, the Chiefs can only hope Smith’s ankle holds up well for 60 more game minutes before allowing him the full offseason of rest and relaxation that he needs. Fortunately, he’s been able to practice in full this week despite being on the injury report so it seems as the Chiefs believe he should be okay.