OT Injuries Mount for the Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line, already a weak spot this season, is now reeling from a wave of injuries at the tackle position. In the past three weeks, the team has lost three key offensive tackles (OTs) to injuries, leaving their depth chart thin and forcing untested players into critical roles. With the Chiefs fighting for a playoff spot at 6-7, the mounting OT injuries have become a crisis—threatening to derail their passing game by exposing quarterback Patrick Mahomes to increased pressure. OT Injuries Mount for the Kansas City Chiefs breaks down the injured players, the impact on the offensive line, and how the team is scrambling to fix the issue.

OT Injuries Mount for the Kansas City Chiefs begins with the growing injury list. The latest blow came in Week 13, when right tackle Jawaan Taylor suffered a knee sprain against the Las Vegas Raiders and was ruled out for 2-3 weeks. Taylor joins left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (ankle injury, Week 12) and backup tackle Lucas Niang (hamstring strain, Week 11) on the injury report. Brown, a Pro Bowler, was expected to stabilize the left side after replacing rookie Tyler Smith (benched earlier in the season), but his injury has left the position in flux. Niang, the team’s top backup OT, was supposed to fill in during absences but is now sidelined too. “It’s a tough stretch for our tackles,” head coach Andy Reid said. “We didn’t anticipate losing this many guys at once, but that’s the NFL—you have to adapt.” The Chiefs’ medical staff has noted that none of the injuries are season-ending, but the timing couldn’t be worse, with tough matchups against pass-rushing heavy teams like the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers ahead.

A critical impact is the collapse of offensive line stability. For the Chiefs, the OT injuries have shattered the little cohesion the offensive line had built. This season, the line has already allowed 34 sacks (on pace for a career high for Mahomes), and the latest injuries threaten to make things worse. With Taylor and Brown out, the Chiefs have been forced to start two inexperienced players: rookie fourth-round pick Wanya Morris at left tackle and practice squad call-up Geron Christian at right tackle. Morris, who played just 12 snaps in the first 12 weeks, struggled in his first start in Week 13, allowing two sacks and three quarterback pressures. Christian, a six-year veteran with limited starts, fared slightly better but committed three penalties. “Stability is everything for an offensive line,” said offensive line coach Andy Heck. “We’ve had to shuffle guys every week, and it’s hard to build chemistry when you’re learning new roles on the fly.”

OT Injuries Mount for the Kansas City Chiefs also includes the Kansas City Chiefs’ desperate depth search. With their top three OTs sidelined, the Kansas City Chiefs have turned to unconventional sources to fill the gaps. The team signed veteran free agent Trent Brown (who was released by the New England Patriots in November) to the practice squad this week, with plans to elevate him to the active roster for Week 14. Brown, a former Pro Bowler, has experience at both left and right tackle but has struggled with injuries himself in recent years. The Chiefs have also moved guard Nick Allegretti to tackle in practice—a position he hasn’t played regularly since college—to add depth. “We’re doing everything we can to find bodies,” Reid said. “Trent has proven he can play at a high level when healthy, and Nick is a versatile guy who’s willing to help wherever we need him.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, the depth search is a race against time—they need to find reliable tackles before facing the Ravens’ Jadeveon Clowney and the 49ers’ Nick Bosa, two of the league’s top pass rushers.

Another major concern is the risk to Patrick Mahomes for the Kansas City Chiefs. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the biggest consequence of the OT injuries is the danger to Mahomes. With inexperienced tackles protecting his blind side and right side, Mahomes has been forced to scramble more often, extending plays to avoid sacks—but increasing his risk of injury. In Week 13, Mahomes was sacked four times and hit nine times, the most he’s been hit in a single game this season. “It’s tough out there when you don’t know if the tackle can hold his guy,” Mahomes said after the game. “I’m used to making plays with my legs, but getting hit that much takes a toll.” The Chiefs’ coaching staff has adjusted their playcalling to help, using more quick passes and screen plays to get the ball out of Mahomes’ hands faster. But those adjustments limit the offense’s explosiveness, making it harder to score against tough defenses. For the Kansas City Chiefs, protecting Mahomes isn’t just about winning games—it’s about keeping their franchise quarterback healthy for the long term.

OT Injuries Mount for the Kansas City Chiefs also highlights the coaching staff’s crisis management for the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs’ coaching staff has been working overtime to fix the OT issues. Heck has added extra practice sessions focused on tackle technique, with veterans like Allegretti and center Creed Humphrey helping the young tackles adjust. Reid has also simplified the offensive game plan, reducing the number of complex blocking schemes to make it easier for the new tackles to execute. “We’re not asking these guys to do too much right now,” Heck said. “We’re focusing on the basics—staying low, using their hands, and communicating with the guards.” The staff has also brought in former Chiefs tackle Brian Waters to mentor Morris and Christian, sharing insights from his 13-year NFL career. For the Kansas City Chiefs, this crisis management is a test of their ability to adapt—something they’ve prided themselves on during their recent playoff runs. “We’ve been through tough spots before,” Reid said. “It’s not ideal, but we’ll find a way to compete.”

OT Injuries Mount for the Kansas City Chiefs wraps up with the stakes for the playoff push. The Chiefs’ OT injuries couldn’t have come at a worse time, with five critical games left in the regular season. If they can’t stabilize the tackle position soon, their playoff hopes will likely fade—especially against teams with strong pass rushes. A healthy Trent Brown could help, but he needs time to learn the Chiefs’ system and build chemistry with the rest of the line. The young tackles (Morris and Christian) also need to improve quickly, or the Chiefs will continue to struggle to protect Mahomes and move the ball. “This is make-or-break time,” Mahomes said. “We need everyone—even the new guys—to step up. If we can get through this stretch, we still have a shot.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, the mounting OT injuries are a defining challenge of their season. How they respond will determine whether they’re a playoff team or a disappointment—and whether their offense can rediscover the form that made them Super Bowl contenders in years past.