Trey Smith has been battling through an ankle injury for quite some time. With only one week left to go, the Pro Bowl right guard for the Kansas City Chiefs would likely want to grit his teeth and see things through to their bitter end, but it sounds as if his head coach isn't going to let him.
The Chiefs are getting back into the groove after enjoying a bit of a mini-bye following a Christmas Day loss to the Denver Broncos. And as Week 18 comes into view against the Las Vegas Raiders, the final game of the Chiefs' season, Andy Reid says he's not sure he's going to let Smith call his own shot.
On Monday, Reid met with reporters to discuss the finer points of the team's health and what to expect as the Chiefs' season comes to an end. Reid said that the team came through Week 17 with no new injuries, but that Smith's ongoing issues with his ankle have become a concern.
"Trey was the only one that was just working through his ankle, and we’ll see how he does coming up here," said Reid in his opening comments. However, later, Reid mentioned that he might not leave things so open-ended, much to the chagrin of his star lineman.
Trey Smith has been playing through pain all season long but Andy Reid doesn't seem inclined to let him finish things out.
"The only one I think that’s questionable there is Trey. He kind of pushed through that ankle and he would probably push through this game too, but I’m most likely gonna hold him back a little bit. That thing’s been bugging him for a while."
Smith, the team's starting right guard, was recently named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, which is a tremendous honor considering how long he's been playing through the pain. Smith injured his ankle back in Week 12 and has been pushing through for more than a month. Smith was also injured back in late October with back spasms as well.
Without Smith in the lineup, the Chiefs could turn to Mike Caliendo once again, but it might make more sense to see what the team has in players with more years remaining on their rookie deals. Interior linemen like Hunter Nourzad or C.J. Hanson could benefit from getting quality reps in an official game.
Nothing is official just yet, and there are six days between now and when Smith might want to suit up. Perhaps things will improve enough to give Smith his druthers and let him finish the season out next to his teammates up front. However, it seems as if the o-line will see a bit more of the youth movement expected at other positions as the Chiefs take the field for the last time.