The playing status for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney is officially up in the air with word from the team's training camp that he underwent surgery on his knee on Tuesday morning. According to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, the team is hopeful that he will be able to suit ups at the start of the regular season, but the tone wasn't exactly confident.
Specifically, Reid spoke to reporters from St. Joseph, Missouri where the Chiefs are presently in training camp at Missouri Western State University. Reid stated that "there's a chance" for Toney to play against the visiting Detroit Lions for the NFL season opener on September 9 but it might make more sense for him to return at a later date where he can get a bit more rest.
"As far as injuries go, Kadarius had surgery on his knee this morning for cartilage and it should be relatively quick as we go here. He wanted to get that thing taken care of."
The Chiefs are going to play this with a long-term view in mind, so it really shoulds not surprise anyone if Toney actually misses a regular season game or two (or more). The Chiefs offense will be able to keep pace with most teams without Toney, and making sure he's healthy for the games that count the most are now going to be a part of the team's strategized usage of such an electric player.
Without Toney, the Chiefs will rely even more on young players like Skyy Moore and rookie Rashee Rice to step up and produce alongside veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and tight end Travis Kelce.
Toney joined the Chiefs last year in a. midseason trade with the New York Giants that cost them a third-round pick and a sixth-round selection. He finished the year with 16 catches for 171 yards and 2 scores for the Chiefs in limited action.