The Kansas City Chiefs dropped their preseason opener to the Los Angeles Rams 20-12 on Saturday.
Frustrating as even exhibition losses can be, most NFL fans know that player health can be the most important indicator of a successful preseason contest. With one exception, the Chiefs seemed to come out of Saturday’s game healthy.
In the fourth quarter, international tackle Chu Godrick was announced as questionable to return due to an ankle injury. After the loss, Godrick was the only injured player head coach Andy Reid highlighted.
“As far as injuries go,” the coach began, “really, it was just Chu Godrick had an ankle sprain. Other than that, there were no other injuries.”
Encouragingly, Reid did not mention rookie Jadon Canady. Canady briefly entered the medical tent in the fourth quarter before returning to the game.
Per Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest, the following players did not dress for Saturday’s game due to injury: wide receiver Jimmy Holiday (undisclosed), right guard Trey Smith (hip) and linebacker Drue Tranquill (back). Defensive backs Chamarri Conner, Kader Kohu and L’Jarius Sneed all missed the contest due to knee injuries.
Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott remains on the active/physically-unable-to-perform list and has not yet participated in training camp practices.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, wide receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy and newly signed defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah were dressed on the sideline but did not enter the game.
Several other players had short workloads.
Running back Kenneth Walker exited the game after the first offensive snap. The starting offensive line of tackles Josh Simmons and Jaylon Moore, guards Kingsley Suamataia and Kahlil Benson and center Creed Humphrey were replaced after the first offensive possession.
On defense, defensive tackle Chris Jones played only the first defensive snap. Defensive end George Karlaftis and linebacker Nick Bolton left the game during the first defensive series.