Chiefs Kingdom is finally getting a familiar face back on the field this Sunday, with defensive back Chamarri Conner set to make his 2026 debut. This is huge news for their secondary, especially after Conner missed the first three games of the season battling a knee injury.
Conner’s Return Is Exactly What the Defense Needs
This isn’t just any guy coming back from injury, folks. Conner was an absolute workhorse last season, leading the entire team in defensive snap percentage. That’s a massive indicator of how vital he is to what they do on that side of the ball. And you know defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo loves this guy. Conner’s versatility is a game-changer, able to slot in at either nickel or safety depending on the package.
Spagnuolo himself didn’t mince words, saying, “It seems like every year he’s been here , and we’ve done cut-ups at the end of the season and we’re looking through the film , 27 keeps showing up, making plays.” That’s the kind of praise you love to hear from a DC. He also called Conner “a really good tackler and a good football player,” emphasizing, “I like having him on the field, and I’m hoping we get him for this game.” While Conner was out, Jaden Hicks and Alohi Gilman stepped up at safety, with Hicks playing every single snap. Getting Conner back into the rotation is only going to boost that secondary.
Left Tackle Woes Continue to Plague the Offense
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the Chiefs offense. While the defense gets a boost, starting left tackle Josh Simmons is still sidelined, set to miss his fourth consecutive game. That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially with a bulging disc in his lower back keeping him out. It’s a brutal injury, and you have to wonder when, or if, he’ll be back on the field consistently.
Undrafted rookie Khalil Benson has been thrown into the fire, starting in Simmons’ absence. It’s a huge ask for a rookie, and having that kind of instability on the blindside is never ideal, especially this early in the season.
So, while the Chiefs are about to get a major lift in their defensive backfield, they’re still facing a serious question mark protecting their quarterback. Sunday’s game is gonna be a real test for how they integrate Conner back into the mix while still plugging that hole at left tackle. Let’s see if that defense can truly carry the load.
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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