Trey Smith Sidelined: Blow to the Kansas City Chiefs O-Line

For the Kansas City Chiefs, an offensive line already reeling from a season-long injury crisis suffered another devastating blow in Week 11: right guard Trey Smith, the only remaining starting lineman to stay healthy through the first half of the 2025 season, was carted off the field during the third quarter of the team’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Initial tests confirmed a Grade 2 calf strain, with head coach Andy Reid later announcing Smith would miss 4–6 weeks—sidelining him through the bulk of the regular season and potentially into the playoffs. For a unit that has already lost Donovan Smith, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, and Jawaan Taylor to injuries, Smith’s absence isn’t just another setback; it’s a collapse of the last remaining pillar holding the Chiefs’ offensive line together. Trey Smith Sidelined: Blow to the Kansas City Chiefs O-Line examines the impact of this latest injury, Smith’s irreplaceable role in the offense, and how the Chiefs can possibly recover from a crisis that now threatens to derail their entire season.

Trey Smith Sidelined: Blow to the Kansas City Chiefs O-Line first delves into the circumstances of Smith’s injury and its immediate aftermath. The play in question was a routine running play in the third quarter, with Smith blocking Raiders defensive tackle Maxx Crosby—one of the NFL’s top pass rushers—on the right side. As Smith pushed Crosby back, he suddenly grimaced, grabbing his right calf and collapsing to the turf. Trainers rushed onto the field, and after a 10-minute evaluation, Smith was helped onto a cart, waving to the crowd as he was taken to the locker room. Postgame scans revealed the calf strain, a injury that typically requires rest and rehabilitation to avoid worsening. “Losing Trey hurts more than words can say,” Reid said in his postgame press conference. “He’s been our rock up front—consistent, tough, and the guy everyone else looks to. To have him go down when we’re already so thin… it’s a tough break.” The loss was compounded by the Chiefs’ 27–20 defeat to the Raiders, a game where the offensive line allowed five sacks and struggled to open holes for the running game. With Smith out, the Chiefs now face the prospect of starting an entirely new offensive line for their upcoming matchup against the Baltimore Ravens—a team with one of the league’s most fearsome pass rushes.

A critical reason Smith’s absence is so damaging is his unique value to the Chiefs’ offensive line, both on and off the field. Since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Smith has emerged as one of the league’s most reliable guards, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2023 and 2024. What sets him apart is his versatility: he can play both right and left guard at an elite level, a skill that has been invaluable this season as the Chiefs shuffled their line to cover injuries. Smith is also a leader in the locker room, often mentoring younger linemen and serving as a bridge between the coaching staff and the rest of the unit. On the field, his strength and technique make him a force in both run blocking and pass protection: he’s allowed just 2 sacks and 5 pressures all season, and his run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus (87.2) ranks among the top 5 guards in the NFL. “Trey isn’t just a good player—he’s the glue that holds our line together,” said Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. “When things get chaotic up front, he’s the one who calms everyone down and makes sure we’re on the same page. Without him, it’s going to be tough to replicate that stability.” For the Chiefs, replacing Smith’s on-field production is hard enough; replacing his leadership and presence will be nearly impossible.

A defining aspect of Trey Smith Sidelined: Blow to the Kansas City Chiefs O-Line is the desperate situation the Chiefs now face in filling his spot. With their depth already depleted, the team has few viable options. The most likely candidate is Nick Allegretti, a career reserve who has been starting at left guard in Thuney’s absence. Shifting Allegretti to right guard would force the Chiefs to start Austin Reiter—signed off the practice squad earlier this season—at left guard. Reiter, who last started a full NFL game in 2020, has struggled in limited action this year, allowing 3 sacks and 8 pressures in just 120 snaps. Another option is Prince Tega Wanogho, a waiver claim who has been playing right tackle, but moving him to guard would require the Chiefs to sign another tackle off the practice squad, further thinning their depth. “We’re scraping the bottom of the barrel here,” admitted Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck. “We don’t have a player on our roster who can step in and play at Trey’s level. It’s going to be a group effort, and everyone is going to have to elevate their game.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, the lack of depth is a direct result of roster decisions made in the offseason, when the team prioritized spending on skill positions over offensive line depth. Now, with Smith out, that decision is coming back to haunt them.

The impact of Smith’s absence extends far beyond the offensive line itself, affecting the entire Chiefs’ offense. Without Smith’s run blocking, the Chiefs’ rushing attack—already struggling with just 78 yards per game—could become even less effective. Running back Isiah Pacheco, who relies on holes created by the guards, has averaged just 3.2 yards per carry since the line injuries began; without Smith, that number could drop further. In pass protection, Smith’s absence leaves a huge gap: the Chiefs now have no lineman who can consistently block elite pass rushers like the Ravens’ Justin Houston or the Bills’ Von Miller. This will force Mahomes to rush his throws even more than he has been, leading to more incompletions and potential interceptions. It could also limit the Chiefs’ playbook: they may have to abandon long developing plays or deep passes, instead relying on quick slants and screen plays to get the ball out of Mahomes’ hands fast. “Our offense is built around having a strong offensive line,” said Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill. “Without Trey, we’re going to have to change how we play. We can’t just rely on Patrick to make magic happen every play—we need to give him time and space, and right now, we’re not sure if we can do that.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, the offense’s ability to adapt will be a key factor in whether they can stay in the playoff race.

Another challenge the Chiefs face is maintaining morale and confidence in the locker room amid this latest setback. The offensive line has been under immense pressure all season, and Smith’s injury could be a breaking point for some players. Reid and his coaching staff have been working overtime to keep the team focused, emphasizing that adversity is part of the NFL and that the Chiefs have overcome tough times before. “We’re not going to give up,” Reid said in a team meeting this week. “We have a lot of football left to play, and we’re still in the playoff hunt. We need everyone to step up—from the backups on the offensive line to the skill players to the defense. This is when we find out what we’re made of.” The defense, which has struggled at times this season, will also need to play better to compensate for a potentially ineffective offense. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the next few weeks will be a test of resilience: can they find a way to win with a makeshift offensive line, or will Smith’s injury be the final blow to their Super Bowl aspirations?

Wrapping up, Trey Smith Sidelined: Blow to the Kansas City Chiefs O-Line is a story of how one injury can escalate a crisis into a potential disaster. The Chiefs entered the 2025 season with championship hopes, but a series of offensive line injuries—culminating in Smith’s absence—has left them clinging to their playoff chances. Replacing Smith’s production and leadership will be a nearly impossible task, and the team’s ability to adapt will determine their fate. If the Chiefs can find a way to patch together their offensive line and keep Mahomes protected, they still have a chance to make a run. But if the line continues to struggle, it could be a long end to the season for a team that has grown accustomed to winning. For Chiefs fans, the next few weeks will be filled with anxiety and hope—hoping that Smith’s recovery is faster than expected, and that the team can find a way to overcome one of the worst injury crises in recent NFL history. One thing is clear: the Kansas City Chiefs’ season now hangs in the balance, and much of it depends on how they respond to the loss of Trey Smith.