The Kansas City Chiefs walked into their Thanksgiving showdown against the Dallas Cowboys already shorthanded – and left with even more questions than answers. Thursday’s 31-28 loss wasn’t just a setback in the standings; it was a war of attrition that saw Kansas City’s depth tested across both sides of the ball, particularly in the trenches and secondary.
Before kickoff, the Chiefs were already down a starting offensive lineman and a key piece in the defensive backfield. But the injury bug didn’t stop there.
Early in the game, safety Bryan Cook suffered a right ankle injury during the Chiefs’ second defensive series. Initially, there was hope he might be able to gut it out in a limited role – CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson noted that Cook would attempt to stay involved on third downs.
But by halftime, that optimism faded. Cook was labeled questionable to return, and ultimately, he didn’t see the field again in the second half.
The offensive line, already missing a starter, took a further hit. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor exited the game with an ankle injury and was ruled questionable at halftime.
He, too, was later ruled out. In his place, swing tackle Jaylon Moore stepped in – a tough ask against a Dallas front that can bring pressure from every angle.
Things got even more complicated in the third quarter when left tackle Josh Simmons left the field. Initially, there was no clear word on what had happened.
Soon after, he was listed as questionable with a wrist injury – a designation that didn’t last long. Simmons was downgraded to out, leaving the Chiefs without both starting tackles.
After the game, head coach Andy Reid kept things close to the vest when asked about the status of his injured players.
“We had a couple of injuries here,” Reid said. “Bryan Cook sprained his right ankle.
Jawaan Taylor hurt his triceps – had a strain of that. Josh Simmons hurt his wrist.
We’ll have to see how those things recover.”
While Reid didn’t offer much beyond the basics, there was a concerning postgame development: Josh Simmons was spotted with his left wrist in a cast and his arm in a sling, according to Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star. That’s not the kind of image you want to see from your starting left tackle, especially with the season entering its most critical stretch.
Despite the revolving door on the offensive line, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was quick to credit the backups who stepped in under tough circumstances.
“They battled,” Mahomes said. “That’s a hard thing to do on a short week coming into a good defensive line – one that can rush the passer from all five positions. They did a good job battling and getting in when their number was called.”
He’s right – this wasn’t a soft landing. Dallas boasts one of the most disruptive front sevens in the league, and going up against them with three backup linemen is a tall order. But Mahomes didn’t flinch, and neither did the guys in front of him.
“Hopefully, we can get some of these guys back and get them healthy over this extended week that we have,” Mahomes added. “But I have confidence in those guys stepping in to play if need be.”
That extended week will be crucial. The Chiefs have time to regroup, reassess, and – if the injury news allows – reload.
But make no mistake, the road ahead doesn’t get any easier. Protecting Mahomes is priority number one, and right now, the offensive line is held together by duct tape and determination.
Kansas City’s depth is being tested in real-time, and how they respond could shape the rest of their season.
