For all of the celebrating in Kansas City on Monday night following the stomping of the Denver Broncos in a 31-10 season-opening victory in primetime, the Chiefs did come away from the game with a few areas of concern. Perhaps the most pressing was the status of cornerback Mansoor Delane going forward, after the team watched him leave the field after just one series with a shoulder injury.
After the game, initial x-rays were negative on Delane's shoulder. Further tests were done and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted, "He's had some tests. So, x-ray, negative. That is a good sign. CT scan, negative. Not out of the woods yet, but there's a lot of positivity that this is a short-term injury." Rapoport also posted, "The belief is Mansoor Delane should miss minimal time with his shoulder injury."
Delane was taken to the locker room shortly after setting the tone for the Chiefs' defense early. On the Broncos' opening drive, defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah applied enough pressure on Bo Nix to affect a pass that landed in the waiting hands of Delane, who took it for a short return before landing awkwardly on his shoulder at play's end.
The Chiefs initially designated Delane as questionable to return, offering up some hope that the team's earliest pick in the 2026 draft might be able to come back. But as the Chiefs pulled away from the Broncos, Delane was downgraded to out, making it clear that he might miss further games going forward.
Echoes of an earlier injury for Delane
The shoulder injury in particular brought up parallels to the same injury that sidelined or limited him for so much of the Chiefs' spring and summer activities. Delane sat out much of rookie minicamp with a shoulder blade injury that needed significant time and rest, which also forced him to wear the yellow non-contact jersey for much of training camp as well. It wasn't until well into the preseason that the Chiefs got a look at a fully cleared Delane for the first time in actual padded practices.
The Chiefs traded up three spots with the Cleveland Browns at the top of the first round—from No. 9 to No. 6—in order to secure the rights to Delane. Widely considered the top cornerback in this year's draft class, Delane was the cornerstone in a rebuilt secondary that suffered through the departures of Trent McDuffie, Bryan Cook, and Jaylen Watson.
What now without Delane?
Without Delane on the boundary, the Chiefs turned veteran Kristian Fulton to work alongside Nohl Williams and L'Jarius Sneed against the Broncos. Fortunately, Fulton played very well in his absence, and the Chiefs' quality of depth will allow them to weather this storm fairly well compared to other positions.
The Chiefs have a couple of options on the practice squad who could also fill in well. Melvin Smith was just re-signed after his release from Tennessee. Kader Kohou was a versatile defensive back for the Dolphins before joining the Chiefs on a one-year deal this spring.
If Delane goes on injured reserve, he would have to miss the next four weeks, but that includes the Chiefs' bye in Week 5, which means he could be back after only missing three games. The Chiefs face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 before road games against the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders. Then again, nothing is official here and perhaps Delane can make it back sooner than later.
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