The Chiefs came into their Thanksgiving Day road game against the Dallas Cowboys in good shape injury-wise for a team that’s played two-thirds of its schedule.
Out were right guard Trey Smith and tight end Noah Gray. But the Chiefs felt good about the players who stepped into those roles.
Unfortunately for the Chiefs, however, their injury situation turned more dire during Thursday’s 31-28 defeat in Week 13 of the NFL season.
Two more offensive line starters — tackles Josh Simmons and Jawaan Taylor — left the game and did not return. Simmons suffered a left-wrist injury and his arm was in a sling after the game. Taylor injured an elbow.
Their injuries occurred after safety Bryan Cook had left the game with an ankle injury.
The Chiefs re-tooled their offensive line on the fly: Jaylon Moore filled in for Taylor, Wanya Morris for Simmons. Mike Caliendo stepped in for Smith last week.
At safety, Mike Edwards — called up from the Chiefs’ practice squad this week — got snaps in place of Cook.
“We have that next-man-up mentality,” center Creed Humphrey said. “Whoever steps in, they’re coming in to do the same job. We have to be able to execute better, play better as a whole, play better together.”
The Chiefs’ offensive line didn’t have its best game against the Cowboys. Patrick Mahomes tossed four touchdown passes but was sacked three times.
Before Simmons left the game, he was penalized twice for holding. Caliendo also drew a holding penalty. The Kansas City O-line accounted for three of the 10 flags (for 119 yards) that referee John Hussey’s penalty-happy crew levied against the Chiefs.
Offensive penalties killed Chiefs drives, especially in the second and third quarters. On successive possessions they faced third-and-26, third-and-16 and third-and-16 again.
They punted away four straight possessions spanning the halves.
“When you are starting first-and-15, first-and-20, it makes it a lot harder to get first downs,” Karlaftis said. “We have to play disciplined football.”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid didn’t elaborate on the seriousness of his players’ injuries, but KC now has line issues. Three starters are dealing with injuries and the immediate task gets no easier with the next opponent.
Houston comes to Kansas City on Dec. 7 for a “Sunday Night Football” game boasting one of the top defenses in the NFL. It’s led by a stellar front. The Texans enter their Week 13 game at the Indianapolis Colts having allowed the fewest yards and second-fewest points in the league.
Later in December, the Chiefs play host to the Denver Broncos, who also possess one of the NFL’s stoutest defenses.
The Chiefs, who have fallen to 6-6, have put themselves in a position where they could ill afford another loss and still feel confident about their playoff chances.
“We need to show up and play better,” Humphrey said. “We have the guys who can show up and do it. I know we do. We have a ton of talent.”
The Chiefs will have to tap into some of their reserve talent now.