Kansas City’s rookie cornerback, Mansoor Delane, just hit full participation in practice for Week 3, a huge step after he aggravated a shoulder injury way back in Week 1. This guy picked off Bo Nix during that Broncos win, showing he’s got playmaking chops, then got dinged up. Now he’s pushing to get on the field against the Dolphins.
The Rookie Cornerback: On the Brink?
Delane’s journey back has been a bit of a rollercoaster, right? He was active for Sunday’s win over the Colts in an “emergency situation” but didn’t actually hit the field. That tells you they needed him in a pinch but weren’t quite ready to fully deploy him. Last week, he was full go on Wednesday and Thursday before getting downgraded to limited on Friday. So, seeing him as a full participant in Kansas City’s first practice of Week 3? That’s the best news possible for the young guy and the Chiefs secondary. It definitely puts him in a much better position to contribute this week against a tough Dolphins offense. If he can get back to game speed, his potential impact is huge.
O-Line Worries and Defensive Dings
While Delane’s return is a shot in the arm, not everything is sunshine and rainbows for the Chiefs. Left tackle Josh Simmons did not practice on Wednesday because of a back issue. Head coach Andy Reid told reporters Simmons is “getting better,” but a DNP for a starting tackle is always a red flag, especially early in the season. You just don’t want those O-line question marks hanging around.
And on the defensive side, it looks like a mini-MASH unit for some key players. Defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf), defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah (quad), defensive back Chamarri Conner (knee), and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (knee) were all limited on Wednesday. That’s four significant defenders who are not 100%. That’s a lot of defensive firepower working through issues. You gotta wonder how much that impacts their game plan against the Dolphins.
Mahomes Good to Go, Other Key Players Full
It isn’t all bad news on the injury report, though. Alongside Delane, there were a bunch of other full participants on Wednesday, which is always encouraging. Linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (shoulder), defensive back Jadon Canady (knee), linebacker Jack Cochrane (calf), and defensive back Jaden Hicks (biceps) all got full practice in. That’s a good sign for their depth.
Most importantly, for the offense, wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) were both full participants. Seeing Mahomes back at 100% after any knee issue is always the biggest relief. You can’t have your MVP quarterback playing at less than his best, especially with how tight games can get in this league. With him and Rice good to go, the offense should be ready to roll.
So, the Chiefs are facing the Dolphins this week with a mixed bag of injury news. Delane’s return to full participation is a definite positive, hinting at some exciting potential for their secondary. But the big question mark remains Simmons at left tackle and how well those limited defensive players can perform. It’s an early-season test, and every snap matters!
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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