Chiefs right guard Trey Smith has been a rock for Kansas City, starting an insane 67 out of a possible 68 regular-season games in his first four years. That’s some serious availability. But last season, things changed, with Smith missing five games due to nagging back spasms and ankle injuries. Now, with the regular season on the horizon, his health is becoming a major question mark, especially after a hip issue flared up during the eighth practice of training camp.
The Injury Bug Bites Hard
It’s a tough break for a guy who’s been so reliable. Missing five games last season was a big deal for Smith, who clearly prides himself on being on the field. The hip problem popping up so early in camp? Not what you want to see for a lineman who needs to be 100% for the grind of an NFL season. Smith did finally get back to practice on August 24, which is a good sign. He even started the Chiefs’ preseason finale, which, yeah, was against *our* Seahawks. It’s good he got reps, but it still begs the question of how close to full strength he actually is.
“Hardheaded” and Ready to Go?
Smith isn’t shy about his commitment, telling Pete Sweeney of the Kansas City Star, “I just don’t like putting my teammates in a position where now they’re having to take extra reps or for me to leave my team hanging and not being at my best.” He admits he can be “a little hardheaded” when it comes to playing through pain, saying he’ll “try to go and give as much as I have, regardless.” That’s the kind of grit you respect, but it’s also a double-edged sword when you’re battling recurring injuries. He knows no NFL player feels 100 percent all season, but his goal is to be healthy enough to do his job every single week. He called it “part of the job and part of the responsibility.”
The Chiefs need their big man upfront, especially after those missed games last year. If Smith can stay on the field and live up to his goal of playing all 17 games, it’s a huge boost for them. But if these issues persist, it’s going to be a long season for their O-line and their fans.
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.
Leave a Reply