The Kansas City Chiefs have been dealing with significant injuries to the wide receiver position since the start of the year. There are serious issues, to be sure, but at least one of the newer concerns is a bit overblown on paper, according to head coach Andy Reid, which is good news at a position of need.
Coming into Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Chiefs have wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster listed as "questionable", which is a scary proposition at wideout considering the litany of other players out at the present time. The issue is a hamstring concern that flared up in practice this week.
The Chiefs are dealing with injuries at wide receiver, to be sure, but one will sound a bit overblown coming into Week 7
Smith-Schuster's absence sounds like a major issue considering the Chiefs are already down their two top wideouts coming into the season with the major injuries to Marquise "Hollywood" Brown and Rashee Rice. However, Andy Reid said that's inaccurate based on how he's feeling. Instead, per ESPN's Adam Teicher, Reid noted that Smith-Schuster had returned to practice and that the designation is "just in case" something flares back up.
Andy Reid said JuJu Smith-Schuster will play Sunday against 49ers. Said he had hamstring spasms that forced him out of Thursday's practice early but returned to practice today. Said JuJu would be listed as questionable when injury report "just in case" he has setback
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) October 18, 2024
Smith-Schuster stepped up to lead the team in receiving yards in a win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 5 with 130 yards on 7 catches. It was his biggest output since a similar showing two years ago with the Chiefs.
The Chiefs are coming off of a bye, but this season has already been a memorable one in terms of injuries, roster moves, and the state of the offense in the first half alone for the Kansas City Chiefs. Even having Smith-Schuster back in the fold after watching him sign a three-year deal with the Patriots in 2023 is an interesting reunion, as was the recent signing of Kareem Hunt to the backfield.
Smith-Schuster is in his eighth NFL season but injuries have taken a major toll on his effectiveness for half of those campaigns, hence the reason why New England decided to release him after a single season into their three-year commitment to him. Smith-Schuster has only played one full season since 2020.