The postseason may be months away, but the Kansas City Chiefs are already rounding into form. Head coach Andy Reid’s team established dominance in a blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, but the triumph did come with some injuries.
After the game, Reid addressed ailments to star right guard Trey Smith and company.
Andy Reid Chimes in on Trey Smith Injury in Week 7 Win Over Raiders
Reid confirmed a back injury for his big-money guard, adding some further context.
“Trey’s back did lock up on him,” Reid said. “We’ve got to just see. Hopefully it’s nothing, but you’re right. We’ll just see how he does.”
Smith, a fifth-year pro, suffered the injury in the first half. It appeared to take place on a touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to wide receiver Rashee Rice. The first-quarter pop pass saw running back Kareem Hunt get rolled up on and Smith also seem banged up following the play.
Hunt ultimately returned, but Smith didn’t. He was originally deemed questionable to return but in the third quarter, the 26-year-old got downgraded to out. Veteran Mike Caliendo primarily replaced him for the remainder of the contest. Reid said Caliendo “did a nice job” in relief.
Since entering the league in 2021, Smith has established himself as an iron man of sorts. After missing Week 5 of the 2022-23 campaign, he made 52 consecutive regular-season starts. That’s without even accounting for plenty of reps during the postseason. Smith entered Sunday with over 4,800 offensive snaps under his belt.
Back in July, the Chiefs signed Smith to a four-year contract. The record-breaking pact is for $94 million with $70M in total guarantees. It keeps him in town through his age 26-29 seasons, setting him up for a potential major payday down the line if he continues to perform at a high level.
For now, it looks like Smith dodged anything serious.
Other Chiefs Injury Odds & Ends After Sunday Dominance at Home
Smith wasn’t the only Chiefs player to suffer an injury in Week 7. In the second half, perhaps the second-most alarming situation developed for rookie defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott.
On a first-and-10 in the third quarter, Norman-Lott was taken out by Raiders tackle Stone Forsythe. Given that he was already engaged in a block, the dangerous play resulted in Forsythe being flagged for unnecessary roughness.
Norman-Lott was helped off the field with a lower leg injury and subsequently went to the locker room for further evaluation. Kansas City ruled him questionable with a knee ailment. The 63rd overall pick in April’s draft was limited in August and part of September by an ankle issue. In four games heading into Week 7, he had 5 tackles (4 solo efforts) and a sack.
“Norman-Lott, Omarr, he hurt his knee,” Reid said. “We’ll get an MRI and see how it is, tomorrow, exactly what it is.”
At the same time, the Chiefs declared right tackle Jawaan Taylor questionable with a shoulder issue. As Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest noted, though, the veteran lineman was spotted on the sideline and his injury didn’t seem to be major. He sat on the bench for the remainder of the contest.
In the grand scheme of things, especially considering some bumps and bruises to Hunt and wide receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder), it’s a mixed bag of an update. Division rivalry games are always tough, especially in a game of attrition.
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