The Kansas City Chiefs defense is already staring down some serious question marks heading into Sunday’s home game against the Colts. Defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback Mansoor Delane are both officially listed as questionable, and that’s a tough pill to swallow for an early season matchup.
Defensive Stars Limping In
This is big. Jones, the absolute anchor of that defensive line, was limited in practice all week thanks to a calf injury. You never want to see your star DT hobbled, especially when you’re trying to set the tone for the season. Then there’s Mansoor Delane, who picked up a shoulder injury during Monday night’s win over the Broncos. He actually worked his way to full participation on Thursday, which was a hopeful sign, but then he dropped right back down to limited work to close out the week. That kind of up-and-down status makes you wonder if he’s really ready to go at 100 percent.
More Defensive Woes and a Rookie Steps Up
It gets even tougher when you look at who’s already ruled out. Left tackle Josh Simmons has a back injury, and defensive back Chamarri Conner is dealing with a knee issue. Both those guys have been ruled out for the second straight week! That’s a significant chunk of the defense missing in action. On the offensive side, rookie Kahlil Benson is going to get the nod at left tackle again, starting in place of Simmons. It’s a huge opportunity for Benson, but it also shows just how banged up this team is right now.
With the Colts rolling into town on Sunday, the Chiefs are going to need every healthy body they can get. This early season game is already a big test, and they’ll have to find a way to step up, especially on defense, despite these injuries.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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