The Kansas City Chiefs rolled over the Los Angeles Chargers 22-6 in Week 6, but the big story coming out of that win has to be second-year wideout Andrew Armstrong stepping up in his first career start. With Rashee Rice sidelined with a hamstring injury, Armstrong was elevated from the practice squad and immediately made his presence felt on offense.
Armstrong’s First Start Showed Everything
Armstrong didn’t just get a start, he *made the most of it*. He lined up on the opening snap, kicking off a 42-snap performance on offense. He played alongside Xavier Worthy, who saw 51 snaps, and Jalen Royals, who played 45. While he only caught one of the two passes thrown his way, it was a solid 13-yard gain. What’s really interesting is how they used him: 12 snaps in the slot and 14 snaps on the perimeter. That screams blocking, especially on run plays. He was out there for 15 run plays, nearly matching Worthy’s 18 and Royals’ 17. You don’t need a fancy “run-blocking” grade to see he was impactful. For an offense that’s built around running back Kenneth Walker gashing defenses, Armstrong’s blocking is a massive plus. The real question now is whether he’s earned a permanent spot on the active roster, maybe even over return specialist Nikko Remigio.
Offensive Line Shakeup and Ezeudu’s Day
The offensive line saw some action too. Right tackle Jaylon Moore went into concussion protocol late in the first half, which meant backup Joshua Ezeudu stepped in and played the entire second half on the right edge. He put in 30 snaps, with 17 of those on pass plays. Ezeudu got dinged for one pressure and a hurry, but overall, he kept Mahomes clean in his first real game action for the Chiefs’ offense. Ezeudu was traded to Kansas City from the New York Giants after the preseason, having mostly played left guard or tackle for Big Blue. It’s gonna be interesting to see how the lineup looks moving forward, especially if left tackle Josh Simmons, who’s been dealing with a back injury, isn’t ready to go for Week 7. Also, keep an eye on third tight end Jake Briningstool. He played 10 snaps, his most since Week 1, and made a huge block that sprung Kenneth Walker for a 33-yard touchdown run.
Next up, the Chiefs are facing a Week 7 matchup where they will look to build on their strong start. Everyone’s gonna be watching to see if Armstrong keeps up this level of play and if Ezeudu becomes a new fixture on the O-line. This is what early season football is all about: seeing who steps up when their number is called.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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