Super Bowl injury report: Andy Reid didn’t have great news for Chiefs fans

Whereas it is easy to give attention to the glitz and glamour of the Tremendous Bowl, there’s nonetheless a soccer recreation to be performed. And that implies that harm stories may make a distinction come Sunday. Nobody needs an unlucky absence to alter the sport—a championship would ideally be decided by a best-versus-best showdown—however that is merely the truth of professional sports activities.

And Kansas Metropolis Chiefs followers received some less-than-ideal updates on Tuesday. Whereas there seemed to be a glimmer of hope round operating again Jerick McKinnon, Andy Reid largely shut that down; he additionally supplied a practical tackle lineman Joe Thuney.

So, the place does that depart the AFC champs forward of Tremendous Bowl Sunday? Let’s break issues down.

Neither McKinnon Nor Thuney Appears Set for Sunday

On the earth of sports activities, there’s some precedent for gamers making a dramatic return in a decisive recreation; consider Willis Reed’s inspirational look throughout the 1970 NBA Finals, for instance. And whereas the Chiefs weren’t taking a look at something of that scale, it looks like the membership shall be rolling into the Tremendous Bowl with none new additions.

Final weekend’s information that McKinnon’s window to return from injured reserve had opened initially appeared like a lift. The veteran shines at catching passes out of the backfield, and even when he wasn’t wholesome sufficient to show in a game-breaking efficiency, he is nonetheless a succesful addition to the pass-blocking scheme. Reid, nevertheless, offered a dose of actuality on Tuesday.

“Jerick isn’t training,” Large Purple famous. “I inform you: it is slim [odds] for him to be on the market.”

Hypothesis has additionally continued to swirl round Thuney, who injured his pectoral throughout the AFC Divisional Spherical assembly with the Buffalo Payments. Provided that we’ve not had official affirmation concerning the severity of his downside and the stakes of the Tremendous Bowl, some have puzzled if the veteran may give it a go.

Reid didn’t paint an excessively rosy image and famous that there’s a draw back to speeding Thuney again.

“It is power,” Reid mentioned. “Ensuring that he is not ready to get damage worse than what he is received. That is what we have a look at.”

As for particular availability, the coach mentioned that Thuney even returning to apply could be “a protracted shot.”

Thuney, for his half, advised Ian Rapoport that he was “taking it day-to-day.”

The Chiefs Can Most likely Cope With These Absences

To be clear, no NFL staff could be pleased about a few of their gamers lacking the Tremendous Bowl. However, on this case, the Chiefs are in all probability well-positioned to maintain the ball rolling.

In regard to McKinnon, KC has expertise on their facet; the veteran operating again hasn’t performed for the reason that center of December, which gave the sport plan time to evolve in his absence. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who’s well-acquainted with the membership’s offense, has stepped up as Isiah Pacheco’s backup, and each operating backs can catch some passes out of the backfield.

McKinnon’s move blocking shall be particularly missed towards Nick Bosa, however Kansas Metropolis did handle to mitigate the Ravens’ move rush with a mix of sturdy safety and fast passes.

And, wanting on the greater image, nobody goes to shed too many tears a few third-down operating again; within the large image, that is a manageable loss.

Thuney, nevertheless, is the larger absence. The Chiefs have seen firsthand how poorly a Tremendous Bowl can go when the offensive line collapses, and their left guard performed his approach into the 2023 Professional Bowl.

However, because the AFC Championship proved, KC has a succesful backup in Nick Allegretti. He could not have the identical stature throughout the recreation as Thuney, however he has spent 5 seasons with the Chiefs, profitable two Tremendous Bowls. With 74 video games of expertise throughout that stretch, he is greater than able to entering into the breech.

And once more, the membership is helped by expertise in each areas. Neither harm is new, and the backups at each positions have been with the membership for a number of seasons.

Past that, the Chiefs even have the final word safety blanket: Patrick Mahomes. Even when there are some bumps and bruises all through the roster, No. 15 is often able to stepping as much as elevate these round him.

If he can try this in one other Tremendous Bowl, his legacy will solely be that rather more spectacular.