Arrowhead Pride
Although the Kansas City Chiefs snatched a much-needed 23-20 overtime victory against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon, they did not avoid injuries.
Guard Trey Smith limped off the field in the first half. He was seen getting his ankle taped before re-entering the game. But at the start of the second half, though, the team ruled him out with an ankle injury.
Later in the game, defensive back Christian Roland-Wallace was ruled out with a back issue.
On Kansas City’s final drive of regulation, tight end Noah Gray took a frightening shot while coming down with an important third-down catch. The Chiefs quickly announced that Gray was in the league’s concussion protocol.
After the game, head coach Andy Reid confirmed the earlier team reporting — and commended the performance of backup Mike Caliendo, who came in for Smith.
“As far as the injuries go,” said Reid, “Trey Smith hurt his ankle. Caliendo came in and did a nice job for him. We’ll see how it is as days go forward. Roland-Wallace hurt his lower back. We’ll just see how it goes this week. Then, Noah got hit in the head. He’ll go through the evaluations there. We’ll see how that goes.”
With a short turnaround before Thursday’s Week 13 contest against the Dallas Cowboys, it may be a stretch to expect Smith, Gray or Roland-Wallace to be available.
Wide receiver Xavier Worthy was listed as questionable entering Sunday with an ankle injury. He appeared to limp off early in the game, though he returned to the field on Kansas City’s next drive. Worthy would go on to make a crucial 31-yard reception in overtime to bring the game-winning drive into Colts territory.
His efforts did not go unnoticed.
“Xavier, likewise, played his tail off,” declared Reid. “He had a little bit of a sore ankle and just battled through it — and did a nice job.”
Also on the final fourth-quarter drive, wide receiver Rashee Rice left the field after making a 19-yard reception. While the CBS broadcast reported that Rice was being checked for a hamstring injury, he quickly returned to the game.
Neither Rice nor Reid mentioned the ailment specifically after the game. Reid did acknowledge the wideout — who finished with eight catches for 141 yards — felt the effects of a heavy workload as the game went on.
“He pushed through,” remarked Reid. “He was tired, there. He pushed through — and I thought he did a nice job.”
On a game the Chiefs had to win to avoid falling further behind in the AFC’s playoff race, Reid knew the importance of Rice and Worthy persevering. Running back Kareem Hunt — who carried the ball an astounding 30 times for 104 yards and a touchdown — also stayed in the game after sometimes being visibly in pain.
The coach loves the mindset he’s observing as his player work through a frustrating season.
“That’s the part I appreciate — as a coach — the most,” he...
