Battle Red Blog
Jared Sapp of Arrowhead Pride joins BRB for five questions
The only three teams standing in front of the Texans and their first Super Bowl appearance were on their schedule this past season. That sometimes makes these little features more tricky as we try to think of new topics of discussion. The Chiefs and Texans just saw each other a month ago, so not a whole lot has changed from the outside looking in, but every day is a new day and a new opportunity to get a new result. We sat down with Jared Sapp of Arrowhead Pride again to get a little more inside information on the Texans opponent.
Battle Red Blog: The Chiefs and Texans met in week 16. Have there been any significant injuries or recoveries since then that we should know about?
Jared Sapp: On the first day of practice this week, Andy Reid confirmed that everyone on the roster would participate. In addition to the 52 players currently on the active roster, that includes cornerback Jaylen Watson and wide receiver Mecole Hardman who have been designated to return from injured reserve.
Hardman will likely be activated for the game, though I’d be surprised if he does anything more than work in the return game and maybe have a couple of designed gadget plays.
There is less certainty that Watson will be available this week, but his return would be huge. He was having a great season before breaking his ankle in October. The Chiefs have tried to fill his snaps with various options without ever finding a great option. Having him at least available in a rotational role would have the added benefit of moving Trent McDuffie back to the slot in nickel formations where his skills truly shine.
BRB: Long layoffs affect players differently. Most of the prominent Chiefs have been off for two weeks now. How do you think that will affect them?
JS: More like three weeks considering few key players saw any real action after Christmas. The Chiefs have played more football than anyone else over the past six seasons and have navigated the stop and start nature of the Super Bowl four times. I think the long layoff is a legitimate concern, but I am going to trust a team that has played through every scheduling irregularity imaginable over the last few seasons to be ready. I think a veteran coaching staff and battle tested roster will handle it.
Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones also had leg injuries late in the season. I don’t have any doubt that rest was the best decision for the team’s two most important players, no matter how it plays out.
BRB: Is there anything you learned about the Texans from the first meeting that you think Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuola will exploit on Saturday?
JS: I am sure Spagnuolo has been watching the tape trying to figure out how to limit the damage from Nico Collins as they were able to do...
