Two key pieces were missing from the roster as the Kansas City Chiefs took the field in Week 1 and that worked pretty well. The Chiefs can only hope to weather the storm one more time without the same two starters in Week 2 as the Indianapolis Colts come to town.
The Chiefs were missing left tackle Justin Simmons and safety Chamarri Conner in the team's season-opening win over the Denver Broncos. The wide margin, 31-10, allowed the team to avoid any real questions about how the injuries affected the performance. Mistakes can be overlooked or easily forgiven when a team is up by three touchdowns over a division rival.
In Week 2, head coach Andy Reid said on Friday that both Simmons and Conner will "most likely be listed as out" on the team's final injury report going into Week 2.
Chamarri Conner's absence extended
Conner was originally injured during training camp when his knee collided with wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. He's been out ever since. Conner came into the season pegged as a starter opposite new arrival Alohi Gilman in a radically remade secondary. Given that he's in a contract year, the first couple of games missed are a big hit to the team and the player.
Reid had positive news concerning Conner's overall trajectory, but it was still clear the Chiefs aren't expecting him back on the field yet. "I can't give you a timeline, but he's getting better. It's just a matter of the swelling staying consistently out of it. He's doing everything he can possibly do with the trainers, but it is getting better," said Reid.
Without Conner, the Chiefs played safety Jaden Hicks for 100 percent of the snaps on Sunday. Fans should expect that kind of snap count again to go with Gilman, who also played all 51 snaps against the Broncos. Chris Roland-Wallace is around to help as a versatile defensive back along with special teamer Xavier Nwankpa.
The latest on Josh Simmons
Reid was a bit less positive on Simmons, whose status feels more mysterious. The Chiefs first lost their starting left tackle to a back injury with a few days left of training camp in St. Joseph. What was first termed a minor issue has turned into a month-long absence that not only cost him the final two preseason exhibitions but the season opener against the Broncos.
"He's at that two-week mark now, so he'll go back and reevaluate, but I know he's feeling better than what he was. Whether he's good enough to play, we'll see," said Reid to reporters on Friday.
With Simmons "highly likely" to miss Sunday night's game against the Colts, expect Reid to go with rookie free agent Kahlil Benson at left tackle once again. The Chiefs thrust Benson into the starting lineup before Week 1 to much concern or confusion and came away pleased with his effort, especially against the Broncos in a primetime matchup.
As for other injuries, the Chiefs held out defensive tackle Chris Jones from practice earlier this week, but he returned in a limited capacity on Friday. Reid said that Jones "did a little bit today too, but I think he'll be okay there." Reid also noted that rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane was practicing once again after being removed from Monday's game with a shoulder injury. He's been a full participant in practice this week and should be available against the Colts.
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