At this point in the NFL season, no team is 100%. Every club — every player, really — is battling a bump or bruise. The Kansas City Chiefs are no different, as they’re quite banged up on the front line.
Already without right guard Trey Smith in Week 13’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, two more players suffered injuries in-game. Both of quarterback Patrick Mahomes‘ starting tackles, Josh Simmons on the left and Jawaan Taylor on the right, went down.
As Week 14 arrives, Simmons is sidelined following surgery on his wrist. Taylor, who continues to nurse a triceps ailment, isn’t practicing on Wednesday. That potentially puts Kansas City in a bind.
Andy Reid on Chiefs’ Tackle Plan if Jawaan Taylor Misses Texans Game
While it’s unclear whether Taylor will suit up on Sunday against the Houston Texans, the Chiefs must prepare either way. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, head coach Andy Reid tipped his cap to the club’s replacement options.
In Week 16 of last season, both tackle Wanya Morris and guard Mike Caliendo played against these very Texans. Reid believes that experience could come in handy if either or both is needed again.
“The one positive is two of the three of them played against them last year,” Reid said. “They did a good job. They know what they’re up against. That’s a great defensive front — great defense, all three levels. Number one in a lot of categories there, defensively. Those guys are getting themselves ready to go.”
When asked about a possible Taylor-less lineup configuration, Reid admitted Morris would likely play left tackle with offseason pickup Jaylon Moore occupying the opposite spot.
“We’ll see what happens with the injured guys first,” Reid began. “But yeah, he’d probably be at the right tackle and Wanya at the left if that’s the way it went.”
Kansas City Has All Praise for Texans’ Defense Ahead of Week 14 Matchup
If the Chiefs can overcome adversity and find a way to succeed against the Texans’ defense, it may be their most impressive feat this year. Houston leads the sport in points per drive on defense, as well as overall yardage. That’s without even factoring in the best pass-stopping unit in football (-0.108 EPA/pass, per Jefe’s Handiwork) and the No. 5 run defense (-0.134 EPA/rush).
Reid is certainly aware of how dominant that side of the ball is in H-Town.
“It starts up front,” Reid said. “They’ve got an active front. I think their linebackers, likewise, are tuned in. They can run, tackle, very sound that way. Their back end, likewise, they’ve got talent on the back end. All three levels, they’re solid. I think they all work together. They’ve done a nice job.”
Center Creed Humphrey echoed a similar sentiment.
“Very talented all across the board, all three levels of the defense, very talented” Humphrey said. “They present a good challenge. They have great pass rushers, great players inside, great linebackers, great secondary. It presents a good challenge. The guys are excited for it. We’re ready to get in here and work throughout this week and get the game plan figured out, then show up on Sunday ready to play.”
Slowing down the pass-rushing duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter is so much easier said than done. When you add cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter into the picture, that becomes an even more daunting task.
Kansas City will need everyone to bring their A-game in Week 14, especially if Taylor joins Simmons among the ranks of the inactive.
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