The Kansas City Chiefs get their preseason underway on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams.
Questions are still being asked as to whether Andy Reid could play some of his starters as the likes of Patrick Mahomes looks to make their return from injury.
There are answers Reid would like to learn before the opening game of the season against the Denver Broncos, but playing starters in preseason poses a huge risk.
In a similar situation, the Cincinnati Bengals risked Joe Burrow on Thursday night for a number of series, which saw the quarterback sacked by the Detroit Lions.
Mahomes remains the biggest question mark going into the new season, but star defensive tackle Chris Jones is urging Reid not to take any unnecessary risks.
Chris Jones urges Chiefs head coach Andy Reid not to risk Patrick Mahomes
Despite tearing both his ACL and LCL, Mahomes has returned to training camp raring to go in practice.
Tyrann Mathieu was seriously impressed by Mahomes after watching him in action, but the proof will be in the pudding when he lines up under center in a real game.
Ahead of the opening preseason game against the Rams, Jones has urged coach Reid not to play the key starting players.
“Why play the starters? I mean, it’s so much risk you’re taking to play starters in preseason. I hope Coach Reid will be like, ‘You know what, starters don’t play’,” said Jones on Thursday.
“But also, it’s about getting reps and repetition. We’ve been playing against each other, so it’s good to get repetition, but I don’t want to play preseason. I’d rather not play, but if I do have to play, I’ma buckle up.”
Jones could not make it any clearer to Reid that this is not the time for the Chiefs to be risking their key players, when such a big bounce-back season is needed after last year.
Mahomes may have made an incredible recovery during the offseason, but the last thing the Chiefs need now is a setback to undo all of his hard work.
“I want to play against their starters. You know what I mean? I want to play against the guys that are going to be starting on Sunday, because you like to weigh yourself out – where I’m at, where I can improve,” Jones added.
To put things into perspective, it is unlikely Sean McVay will be risking Matthew Stafford on Saturday against the Chiefs.
With a huge game against the Denver Broncos to open the season, Reid is going to need his stars fit and ready to go at Arrowhead Stadium.
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