The Kansas City Chiefs might have won their Week 12 matchup against the Colts and found a way to stay alive in the playoff hunt but it came at a price. Right guard Trey Smith very well could miss the Chiefs' Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys after suffering ankle sprains, per Ian Rapoport.
Rapoport officially reported that "Smith is expected to miss some time, including likely against the Cowboys on Thursday". This is not the news the Chiefs wanted ahead of a Week 13 matchup that suddenly has become quite interesting for both teams.
#Chiefs Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith is dealing both high- and low-ankle sprains, sources say. Smith is expected to miss some time, including likely against the #Cowboys on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/uIor4ssURm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 24, 2025
Trey Smith injury news is a real concern for Chiefs ahead of Week 13
Chiefs fans don't need to be reminded about how important Smith is to this offensive line and the run game but I'm going to remind you anyway. Nick Jacobs on X posted a key stat revolving around Smith and his impact in the run game and it's definitely going to have fans panicking.
Kareem Hunt’s success before and after Trey Smith’s injury per Next Gen Stats
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) November 24, 2025
1st half - 11 carries for 50yds - 4.5 ypc - 63.6% success rate
2nd Half - 19 carries for 54 yards - 2.8 ypc. - 36.8% success rate#Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom
Yes, Kareem Hunt rushed for more yards once Smith left the game but look at the yards per carry and success rate numbers. That is concerning, to say the least. And now the Chiefs go up against a Cowboys defense who, not long ago, looked like a pushover but managed to shut Saquon Barkley down in their eventual come-from-behind win. Not ideal.
Not only is Smith expected to miss this week's game, that's to be expected on a short week, but Rapoport also said he could miss "some time". It figures that as soon as the Chiefs got some momentum back that they'd lose a key member of their offense.
Next man up will be Mike Caliendo, who has been decent when filling in for Smith this year, proven by his 82.2 run-blocking grade on PFF. That being said, he's not as good as Smith and he'll definitely be someone the Cowboys zero in on this Thursday afternoon.
If the Chiefs plan to work their way back into the playoff conversation, this threw a wrench in those plans for sure. Great teams are able to overcome injuries though so let's hope that's the case here.