Understanding the Chiefs' Super Bowl LVII Injury Updates
While the Kansas City Chiefs recover from their AFC Championship Game victory over the Cincinnati Bengals and prepare to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, many fans have been left to ask reasonable questions such as "what even is an 'estimated game designation?'" and "who's actually going to play in this game?"
The process of keeping and getting players healthy is a science, but understanding what the team is implying in their updates? That's an art. So let's paint.
KC Chiefs Super Bowl injury updates: what we think we know
WR Mecole Hardman
Let's start with the bad news: wide receiver Mecole Hardman appears extremely unlikely to suit up for the Super Bowl. Listed as doubtful on the Chiefs' bye week "estimated game designation status," the team is all but ruling him out of a fictional game that would be happening this Sunday in a typical week. But with an extra week to heal, could Hardman improve his status by game day? Head coach Andy Reid sure didn't seem to think so.
"He did a great job of playing in that game the other day," Reid said to the media on Thursday. "Very courageous effort and my heart goes out to the kid because he busted his tail. He is hurting, though, today."
A phrase like "my heart goes out to the kid" doesn't typically come from Reid under anything but relatively dire circumstances. Later, Reid was even more pessimistic when asked about his chances of being ready by Super Bowl Sunday.
"I think it will be tough for him," Reid said. "I doubt that he’ll make the Super Bowl. But listen, like I said, he wasn’t going to be denied the other day. It’s a tribute to the kid, he just pushed himself like no other. And he’s a tough nut. He’s all smiles with you, but when it comes down to playing, he’s a tough, tough kid."
Again, Reid goes out of his way to praise Hardman's toughness and veracity in returning to the field at all after losing a significant portion of his season to an injury that has still not been publicly explained. Having listened to and attended a large number of Andy Reid press conferences, I take this to be Reid's attempt to let Chiefs fans know Hardman gave it his all, but that his season (and potentially his Chiefs career) has come to a difficult and unfortunate end.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and WR Kadarius Toney
Here's the really short version: Andy Reid seems optimistic. I can't help but be a little bit concerned.
On Thursday, Reid said wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster "had some knee swelling" which prevented him from practicing this week. Later, when asked about Smith-Schuster potentially being limited by the injury, Reid struck a positive tone.
"Yeah, so, I think he will be available to do that," Reid said. "He’s in a good place. The main thing is that we let that calm down. And right now, it’s doing great, so [I’m] very optimistic right now. And his 'want-to' is all in there. But we’ll just see where it goes."
"We'll just see" is my nomination for Andy Reid's Unofficial Non-Committal Injury Update Phrase of the Year. (...Is that not an award?) It allows him to be vaguely optimistic without sounding too certain or speaking ahead of schedule. However, I'm just not quite fully ready to take it at face value. If Smith-Schuster goes through all of Monday night's media festivities, all signs point to his ability to be a full participant next week. I'm just holding out a slight bit of concern due to the nature of knee injuries and the fact that he didn't see the field this week.
Also from Thursday's update, Reid said wide receiver Kadarius Toney wouldn't practice due to an ankle sprain, but said Toney is "close and doing well," noting that he also participated in walkthroughs on Thursday. Toney also was a non-participant on Friday's practice report.
I believe that the most likely scenario for Smith-Schuster and Toney is that the Chiefs saw no reason to test their respective knee and ankle sooner than was necessary, giving them a low-impact week before ramping up once they get to Arizona. However, for two wide receivers who have taken a beating in their careers, I won't be completely at ease until they regain full participation status in practice.
CB L'Jarius Sneed
Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed may have the clearest path to playing in Super Bowl LVII: pass the concussion protocol. Sneed was knocked out in a scary collision against the Bengals, but he walked to the sideline under his own power. Since then, the signs have been good, with Sneed watching practice without his helmet and joining the team for stretching and conditioning. Barring any setbacks, Sneed is on pace to clear the concussion protocol with plenty of time to return to practice next week.
LB Willie Gay Jr.
Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. was limited in practice all week with a shoulder injury that knocked him out of the AFC Championship Game, but if his practice dancing and questionable (estimated) status is any indicator, he should be on track to take on the Eagles. Certainly, a shoulder injury will be tested more strongly in game action than during practice warm-ups, so Gay's shoulder will be worth watching when he begins making contact in the Super Bowl.
RG Trey Smith
Right guard Trey Smith (ankle) was listed as a limited participant in the theoretical practice that didn't actually happen on Wednesday, then Smith was a full participant Thursday and Friday. With no estimated status for this weekend, he's good to go.
QB Patrick Mahomes
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was a full participant all week, just as he was leading up to the AFC Championship Game. While his ankle will surely benefit from an extra week of healing and rehab, there's no doubt who will be calling the shots from behind center.
