The Kansas City Chiefs face an ultra-important game on Sunday afternoon when they go up against the Buffalo Bills.
Despite being pre-season favorites to win their respective AFC East and West divisions – and the Bills by a heavy margin – both go into the game in second, a game behind the leaders in the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos.
The Chiefs have, broadly speaking, have managed to keep themselves away from the injury bug, but they will be without two starting members of the offense, Josh Simmons (personal reasons) and Isiah Pacheco, who is out with a knee issue.
They could also be facing further limitations on that side of the ball, as both guard, Trey Smith and tackle, Jaylon Moore, are both questionable to play.
Chiefs Questionable Offensive Linemen Expected To Play On Sunday
However, per Matt Derick of Chiefs Digest, the team expects both to start on Sunday.
“Chiefs list LT Jaylon Moore (illness) and RG Trey Smith (back) as questionable for Sundayâs game against the Buffalo Bills, although the expectations are that both will play barring setbacks.” Derrick wrote on Friday.
First round rookie left tackle, Josh Simmons, has missed the past three games due a family situation, which has allowed offseason free agent pickup, Jaylon Moore to slide into the role in his absence.
Moore has performed admirably over the past three games since taking over the starting mantle, drawing praise from offensive coordinator, Matt Nagy, who even admitted that he was not fully sure if Simmons would remain the starter after returning to the team – something that is expected to happen over the course of the next few weeks.
“Chiefs OC Matt Nagy says he hasnât considered who will start at left tackle when Josh Simmons returns. He complimented Jaylon Moore for his consistency and his ability to rise to the challenge, but defers to Andy Reid and Brett Veach on choosing the starter.” Derrick reported on Thursday.
The Chiefs Have One Of The Stronger Offensive Lines In Football
The best thing for Veach, Reid and co. is that Simmons was also playing well prior to his departure from the team. He has managed a
63.9 grade from Pro Football Focus over his first five games as a pro, ranking 42nd out of 77 qualifying players at the position.
But Moore has been able to surpass even that, coming in
68.8 from PFF, good for 31st.
Smith, on the other hand, will look to return to the team after missing week 8’s Monday night victory against the
Washington Commanders, where the team put up 21 unanswered points in the second half as the Chiefs moved up to 5-3 on the year.
The former sixth round guard, who signed a massive
four year, $94 million extension this past offseason, which currently makes him the second highest paid guard in the
NFL, behind only the
Dallas Cowboys‘
Tyler Smith, is a huge part of the offensive line – and his returned presence will be a massive boon for the offense, if he does manage to play.
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The post Chiefs Get Encouraging Outlook On Offensive Line Pair – Report appeared first on Heavy Sports.
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