The latest
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown could get top billing
Brown took advantage of an injury to teammate Xavier Worthy by leading the Kansas City Chiefs with 10 catches for 99 yards in the team’s’ six-point loss to the L.A. Chargers in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Friday night, finishing with 19.90 fantasy points.
Already down a receiver with Rashee Rice suspended for the first six games of the season for his involvement in a high-speed, multi-vehicle crash in March, Worthy’s dislocated shoulder is bad news for Kansas City but great news for Brown owners.
Worthy hopes to keep playing while wearing a brace, but Brown could emerge as the team’s No. 1 receiver until Rice returns.
Playcaller: Andy Reid, head coach
Experience: Reid has the most experience in the league. He has been calling plays throughout his 27 seasons as a head coach — 14 with the Eagles and 13 with the Chiefs. He is assisted by offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and eight-year starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
What to know: Much of Reid’s playcalling will be determined by the success or struggles of the Chiefs’ revamped offensive line, featuring new left guard Kingsley Suamataia and rookie left tackle Josh Simmons. If Mahomes is better protected, expect Reid to dial up more deep shots and counterattacks through a variety of screens. When compared to last season, the Chiefs hope to stay healthier on offense. In Week 7, Reid and Mahomes could have their top three receivers — Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown — finally play a snap together for the first time in two years. — Nate Taylor
Also, Mahomes almost never loses in the month of September. I’m not sure if it’s because he has a September birthday, but since he took over the Chiefs starting QB job in 2018, Mahomes is 19-4 in the month of September and in those 23 games, he’s thrown 63 TD passes compared to just 11 interceptions.
You should never pick against Mahomes after a loss, you should never pick against him in September and you should certainly never pick against him after a September loss, but I’m going to do it. In Super Bowl LIX, I predicted that the Eagles would win by double digits and although I think it will be closer this time around, I think Philly still wins.
PICK: Eagles 23-20 over Chiefs | Eagles -1 | Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
5. Chiefs
After the Chiefs seemingly found an answer to their offensive line problems with first-round pick Josh Simmons, there was hope that this offense would rediscover its deep passing game. One series into the season, though, receiver Xavier Worthy went down with a dislocated shoulder. The receiving corps subsequently struggled to get downfield separation without him, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes had to put his superhero cape back on just to keep the offense afloat. While that formula was enough to get Kansas City off to a 9-0 start last season, it’s no way to consistently play, and losing close games like Friday’s will make skeptical voices even louder.
3. The Chiefs’ brilliant, “run-on” field goal shouldn’t be forgotten.
It didn’t end up leading to a victory, but the Chiefs’ successful “run-on” field goal at the end of the first half was executed so well that it shouldn’t be forgotten. Simply put, consider the ridiculous complexity involved in moving the correct personnel onto the field and into position all amidst a ticking clock that had only 13 seconds remaining on it when tight end Noah Gray re-entered the field of play.
For starters, Gray knew exactly which official he needed to give the ball to in order to expediate the spotting process. Meanwhile, a total of 12 players needed to exchange spots without a moment’s notice. The only players who remained on the field as part of the field goal unit were Gray, center Creed Humphrey, offensive guard Trey Smith, offensive guard Kingsley Suamataia and offensive tackle Josh Simmons, meaning six players needed to rush off the field while another six ran on it.
That process was executed in just 10 seconds before longsnapper James Winchester snapped the ball at the 3-second mark, providing kicker Harrison Butker with plenty of time to send the ball through the uprights from 59 yards away.
Again, the Chiefs lost on Friday, so these special teams’ heroics are easily forgotten, but the success of that operation should be a comforting thought if Kansas City needs to do it again down the road.
Around the NFL
Tyreek Hill’s estranged wife has alleged in court filings that he committed domestic violence, which the Miami Dolphins receiver has vehemently denied.
According to documents obtained by TMZ, Keeta Vaccaro alleges eight separate incidents of domestic violence in filings related to the couple’s divorce case.
Hill’s attorney said in a statement Monday that the allegations are part of a “shakedown,” adding that they are “an attempt to generate bad media coverage” for Hill.
According to TMZ, Vaccaro alleges that the first incident occurred in January 2024, about two months after her marriage to Hill.
Hill has not been criminally charged, and it was unclear as of Tuesday morning whether law enforcement was investigating Vaccaro’s allegations.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
In a traumatic shoulder dislocation, a labrum tear is likely to be the first injury the medical staff would want to rule out through an MRI. Given the mechanism of Worthy’s injury — the anterior-to-posterior force to the front of his shoulder from the collision with Kelce — a posterior labral tear would be most likely. This is called a SLAP tear (for superior labrum anterior to posterior). Labrum tears can lead to popping, grinding, decreased range of motion, pain and instability of the shoulder joint.
Other injuries would also be possible, including bony fractures or muscle strains and tears. But even if no other structures are damaged, additional dislocations can occur after the joint’s stability has been compromised.
Given what we know, it is likely Worthy will return to play this season. This does not suggest the absence of other structural damage. Instead, it simply means Worthy will be able to play through the injury — whether it is only a dislocation or something more.
Worthy’s return to play will vary depending on the extent of the injury. It’s fair to assume he will miss at least 3-4 weeks. If the dislocation is more severe — or there are structural injuries — he could be out 6-8 weeks.
Social media to make you think
Follow Arrowhead Pride on Social Media
- Facebook: Like our page
- Instagram: @ArrowheadPride
- X: Follow @ArrowheadPride
- AP Staff on X: See complete list
- Sports Radio 810 on X: Follow @SportsRadio810
0 CommentsSee More:
