Offensive Line Injuries Cripple the Kansas City Chiefs

In the NFL, an elite offensive line is the backbone of a championship-caliber offense—especially for a team like the Kansas City Chiefs, who rely on quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ ability to extend plays and connect with playmakers downfield. But in the 2025 season, the Chiefs have been dealt a devastating blow: a wave of offensive line injuries that has dismantled their once-stout front five. What began as a single injury in Week 3 has snowballed into a crisis, with four starting offensive linemen missing time due to various ailments. The result? A once-dominant Chiefs offense has sputtered, Mahomes has been sacked at a career-high rate, and the team’s Super Bowl aspirations have been thrown into doubt. Offensive Line Injuries Cripple the Kansas City Chiefs explores the scope of the injury crisis, how it has upended the Chiefs’ game plan, and whether the team has any path to recover before the playoffs.

Offensive Line Injuries Cripple the Kansas City Chiefs first details the timeline and severity of the injuries that have decimated the unit. The trouble started in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts, when left tackle Donovan Smith—signed in free agency to protect Mahomes’ blind side—suffered a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for four games. Just two weeks later, in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, left guard Joe Thuney tore his MCL, requiring surgery and a six-week recovery. The Chiefs’ offensive line depth was further tested in Week 7, when center Creed Humphrey (a two-time Pro Bowler) exited with a knee injury after a late hit, and right tackle Jawaan Taylor was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder issue the following day. By Week 8, the Chiefs were starting a makeshift offensive line: Lucas Niang (a former backup) at left tackle, Nick Allegretti (a career reserve) at left guard, Austin Reiter (signed off the practice squad) at center, Trey Smith (the only remaining starter) at right guard, and Prince Tega Wanogho (claimed off waivers in October) at right tackle. “We’ve never faced anything like this,” Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck admitted. “Losing four starters in a month isn’t just bad luck—it’s a crisis. These guys aren’t just blockers; they’re the ones who let Patrick do what he does best.” The impact was immediate: in the four games with the makeshift line, the Chiefs’ rushing attack dropped from 115 yards per game (12th in the NFL) to 78 yards per game (28th), and Mahomes was sacked 14 times—more than he’d been sacked in the first seven weeks combined.

A critical consequence of the offensive line injuries is the toll it has taken on Mahomes, who has been forced to play under constant duress. For years, Mahomes has thrived on his ability to escape pressure and make highlight-reel throws, but this season, the frequency of sacks and hits has limited his mobility and decision-making. In the Week 10 Thanksgiving loss to the Buffalo Bills—with three starting linemen still sidelined—Mahomes was sacked four times, hit nine times, and forced to scramble 12 times. He threw two interceptions (his first multi-interception game since 2023) and looked visibly frustrated, often yelling at the offensive line after missed blocks. “Patrick is a warrior, but he can’t do it alone,” Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill said after the game. “When he’s getting hit before he can even set his feet, it’s hard for him to make the plays we all know he can. We need those guys up front healthy—badly.” The injuries have also altered Mahomes’ playing style: he’s rushed his throws more often, leading to more incompletions, and he’s avoided extending plays to avoid additional hits. Pro Football Focus data highlights the decline: Mahomes’ passer rating when kept clean is 112.3 (top 5 in the NFL), but when under pressure, it plummets to 68.9 (bottom 10). For a quarterback who once turned pressure into opportunity, the constant threat of sacks has become a liability.

A defining aspect of Offensive Line Injuries Cripple the Kansas City Chiefs is the struggle of the backup linemen to fill the void left by the starters. The Chiefs’ front office prides itself on building depth, but the sheer number of injuries has exposed gaps in their roster planning. Lucas Niang, who started at left tackle in Smith’s absence, has allowed 8 sacks and 15 pressures in six starts—ranking him 63rd out of 65 qualified offensive tackles in PFF’s pass-blocking grade. Austin Reiter, the emergency center, has struggled with snap accuracy, botching three snaps in the Bills game alone (one of which led to a fumble recovered by Buffalo). Even Trey Smith, the only remaining starter, has seen his performance decline as he’s been forced to shift positions to cover gaps—he’s moved from right guard to left guard twice this season, disrupting his rhythm and chemistry with the rest of the line. “These backups are trying their best, but they’re not starters for a reason,” said former NFL offensive lineman Brian Waters, a Chiefs legend. “Offensive line is all about chemistry—you need time to play together, to learn each other’s tendencies. Throwing a bunch of guys together midseason? It’s a recipe for disaster.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, the backup linemen’s struggles have rippled through the entire offense: the run game can’t find holes, Mahomes can’t stay upright, and the team’s once-reliable red-zone offense has fallen from 70% touchdown rate (top 3) to 45% (bottom 10).

The Chiefs’ attempts to address the crisis have been limited by salary cap constraints and a lack of available talent on the market. In October, the team signed veteran tackle Kendall Lamm and center Evan Brown to the practice squad, but both have limited starting experience and have struggled to adapt to the Chiefs’ complex blocking schemes. General manager Brett Veach has also explored trade options, but most teams with viable offensive linemen are either in playoff contention (and unwilling to part with talent) or asking for high draft picks (which the Chiefs are reluctant to give up, given their Super Bowl window). “We’re in a tough spot,” Veach admitted in a recent interview. “The market for offensive linemen this time of year is thin, and we can’t afford to mortgage our future for a short-term fix. We have to hope our guys heal up soon.” The Chiefs have also adjusted their game plan to mitigate the damage: they’ve called more quick passes (slants, outs, and screen plays) to get the ball out of Mahomes’ hands faster, and they’ve used tight ends and running backs as extra blockers on nearly 40% of passing plays (up from 25fore the injuries). While these adjustments have reduced sacks slightly, they’ve also made the offense more predictable—defenses now know the Chiefs will rarely attempt deep passes or long developing plays. For the Kansas City Chiefs, this style of play is a far cry from the dynamic, aggressive offense that won them two Super Bowls, and it’s left fans and analysts wondering if they can compete with elite teams like the Baltimore Ravens or San Francisco 49ers.

Wrapping up, Offensive Line Injuries Cripple the Kansas City Chiefs is a story of how a single position group’s misfortune can derail an entire season. The Chiefs entered 2025 with championship expectations, but the offensive line injuries have turned their strengths into weaknesses: Mahomes, once untouchable, is now under constant pressure; the run game, once a complement to the passing attack, is now a nonfactor; and the offense, once the most feared in the NFL, is now struggling to score 20 points per game. The only hope for the Chiefs is a rapid return of their injured linemen: Smith is expected back in Week 12, Thuney in Week 14, and Humphrey in Week 15. But even if they return, there’s no guarantee the offensive line will immediately regain its chemistry—especially with the playoffs set to begin in January. “We need these guys back, but we also need time to get back in sync,” Heck said. “Football is a rhythm sport, and we’ve lost ours.” For Chiefs fans, the next few weeks will be a test of patience: will the injured linemen return in time to save the season, or will the offensive line crisis be the final nail in the coffin of their 2025 Super Bowl hopes? One thing is clear: without a healthy offensive line, the Kansas City Chiefs are a shadow of the team they once were—and in a competitive AFC, that may be enough to end their title aspirations before they even get started.