Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster appeared on the injury report ahead of Week 7, participating in a “limited” practice on Thursday due to a hamstring issue, according to the team.
This development is concerning for the Chiefs, who are already dealing with limited depth and playmaking ability at the wide receiver position.
Before the bye week, Smith-Schuster had emerged as one of Patrick Mahomes’ key targets, replacing Rashee Rice. He recorded seven catches for 130 yards against the New Orleans Saints. “When we got in the game, it kind of just clicked,” Mahomes said on October 16, describing his growing chemistry with Smith-Schuster. “That was something that was big for me. We’ll continue to get him involved in the offense, as well as other guys.”
If Smith-Schuster is unable to play in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City will have to adopt the “next man up” mentality. That could mean increased opportunities for rookie Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore, or possibly a practice squad elevation like Justyn Ross or Nikko Remigio.
Interestingly, Smith-Schuster spoke to the media on Wednesday, October 16, without mentioning any injury. This could suggest that the hamstring issue is minor and noted only as a precaution, or it might indicate that he sustained the injury during Thursday’s practice.
The second possibility would raise more concerns regarding his availability for the Niners game.
Smith-Schuster also reflected on his recent breakout and the challenges of adjusting to a new team midseason. “An opportunity presented itself, [and] I took the opportunity to work with [Mahomes] throughout the week and my time here,” he said about his Week 5 performance, adding that he was “very happy” to have helped the team beat the Saints.
While he has some familiarity with the Chiefs’ offense, Smith-Schuster admitted it’s difficult for players to learn new offensive or defensive schemes in the middle of a season. The pace of Andy Reid’s system, in particular, has been a challenge for him to adapt to quickly.
With the 2024 trade deadline approaching, Smith-Schuster’s comments are a reminder that the Chiefs might need to rely on their current roster in their pursuit of a third consecutive championship. Trade partners willing to help Kansas City aren’t abundant, and finding the right fit is no small task.
Smith-Schuster has embraced his role as the “Unc” — or elder statesman — of the Chiefs’ wide receiver group, joking with the younger players about his age. “The young guys like Xavier [Worthy] always make fun of me, like — ‘Unc, man, I don’t know if he still got it,’” Smith-Schuster laughed on October 16. “For myself, I think it’s funny, but at the same time, it’s pretty cool that I can be a leader in that room.”
He noted that this is the first time he’s taken on such a role. “I wasn’t Unc in New England, just because we had a couple of guys that were older — around the same age but a little bit older — and then coming here to a room where you got a bunch of young guys, it’s pretty much just me and [Watson],” Smith-Schuster explained.
Sharing his wisdom with the younger receivers, Smith-Schuster urged them not to take their time in Kansas City for granted, calling it a “special” place to play. He also advised them to stay focused on the next play, not dwelling on past successes or failures.
