Trey Smith Ankle Injury Concerns for the Kansas City Chiefs

In the NFL, the health of an offensive lineman can be just as critical to a team’s success as a star quarterback or running back—and for the Kansas City Chiefs, the recent ankle injury to starting right guard Trey Smith has sparked significant concern as they push for an AFC West title and a Super Bowl repeat. Trey Smith Ankle Injury Concerns for the Kansas City Chiefs examines the aftermath of Smith’s injury during the Chiefs’ Week 16 loss to the Denver Broncos, a setback that not only weakened the team’s offensive line but also raised questions about their ability to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes and sustain their high-powered running game in the playoffs. For the Chiefs, who have relied on Smith’s physicality and consistency for three seasons, his potential absence is more than a roster gap—it’s a threat to their championship aspirations, especially as they face a tough stretch of games against playoff-caliber opponents.

Trey Smith Ankle Injury Concerns for the Kansas City Chiefs begins with the specifics of the injury, which occurred in the second quarter of the Chiefs’ 27-24 loss to the Broncos. On a third-and-2 play, Smith was blocking Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones when he planted his right foot awkwardly to adjust his position. Video replays showed Smith’s ankle twist inward, and he immediately collapsed to the turf, clutching his leg in pain. The Chiefs’ medical staff attended to him for several minutes before helping him off the field, and he did not return to the game—watching the remainder of the contest from the sideline in a walking boot and using crutches. Post-game tests revealed a Grade 2 sprain of the right ankle, an injury that typically requires 2-4 weeks of recovery. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid acknowledged the severity after the game, saying, “Trey’s a tough kid, but this is a significant sprain. We’re going to take it day by day with him, but we know he’s going to be out for at least the next couple of weeks. Losing a player like that hurts—he’s been a rock for our offensive line.” The timing couldn’t be worse: the Chiefs are currently tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the AFC’s No. 2 seed, and a healthy Smith is critical to their chances of securing a first-round bye.

A key part of Trey Smith Ankle Injury Concerns for the Kansas City Chiefs is understanding why Smith’s role is so irreplaceable. Since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Smith has emerged as one of the league’s top right guards, combining size (6’5”, 330 lbs), strength, and agility to dominate both run and pass blocking. This season, he has graded out at 84.2 by Pro Football Focus (PFF)—the fourth-highest grade among all NFL guards—and has allowed just 1 sack and 3 pressures in 12 games. His ability to pull on run plays has been a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ rushing attack, which ranks 10th in the league with 120 yards per game. Running back Isiah Pacheco, who has rushed for 920 yards and 7 touchdowns this season, has credited Smith with creating “game-changing holes” on the right side of the line. “Trey makes my job easy,” Pacheco said in a recent interview. “He’s always in the right place, he blocks with intensity, and he never gives up on a play. When he’s on the field, our running game is a completely different unit.” Smith’s leadership is also invaluable: as one of the longest-tenured members of the offensive line, he acts as a vocal communicator, helping to adjust blocking schemes on the fly and mentor younger linemen like rookie tackle Wanya Morris.

Trey Smith Ankle Injury Concerns for the Kansas City Chiefs also explores the impact of his absence on the Chiefs’ offense, which has already shown signs of struggle without him. In the second half of the Broncos game, with backup guard Nick Allegretti filling in for Smith, the Chiefs’ running game stalled—Pacheco rushed for just 28 yards on 10 carries (2.8 yards per carry), down from his season average of 4.3. The pass protection also suffered: Mahomes was sacked twice and hit five times in the second half, with Allegretti allowing 2 pressures that led to hurried throws. The Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, Matt Nagy, admitted after the game that the line’s inconsistency affected their game plan. “We had to scale back some of our run plays because we didn’t have Trey’s mobility,” Nagy said. “And when we did pass, we had to keep an extra tight end in to block, which limited our options in the passing game. Losing a player like Trey forces you to adjust, and we didn’t do a good enough job of that against Denver.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, this adjustment period will be critical in the coming weeks: they face the Las Vegas Raiders (a team with 40 sacks this season) in Week 17 and the Cincinnati Bengals (a playoff rival) in Week 18, and a weakened offensive line could lead to more losses and a lower playoff seed.

Another focal point of Trey Smith Ankle Injury Concerns for the Kansas City Chiefs is the team’s search for a viable replacement. The Chiefs’ primary backup at guard is Nick Allegretti, a sixth-year player who has started 18 games in his career but has never matched Smith’s production. Allegretti’s PFF grade this season is 67.8—20 points lower than Smith’s—and he has allowed 4 sacks in limited playing time. The Chiefs also have rookie guard Mike Caliendo on the practice squad, but he has yet to play in an NFL game and lacks the experience to handle playoff-caliber defensive linemen. To address the gap, the Chiefs are considering signing a free-agent veteran, with names like former Green Bay Packer Jon Runyan Jr. and ex-Philadelphia Eagle Isaac Seumalo being discussed as potential targets. “We’re not going to let this injury derail our season,” said Chiefs general manager Brett Veach. “We’re evaluating every available option to make sure we have a capable replacement for Trey. Whether that’s Allegretti stepping up, promoting Caliendo, or signing a free agent, we’ll find a way to keep our offense moving.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, the stakes are high: a weak link at right guard could expose Mahomes to more hits (he has already been sacked 28 times this season) and slow down a running game that is critical to keeping defenses off balance.

Looking ahead, Trey Smith Ankle Injury Concerns for the Kansas City Chiefs will remain a top storyline as the regular season ends and the playoffs begin. While a Grade 2 sprain typically heals in time for the playoffs, there is no guarantee Smith will be at full strength—and rushing him back could lead to a more serious injury. The Chiefs’ medical staff is taking a cautious approach, focusing on rest, physical therapy, and gradual reintroduction to football activities. In the meantime, the team will work to build chemistry with their backup guards, running more reps in practice and adjusting their offensive scheme to play to their strengths. Reid emphasized the importance of resilience, saying, “Injuries are part of this game. We’ve overcome adversity before, and we’ll do it again. Our guys know what’s at stake, and they’ll rise to the challenge.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, Smith’s injury is a test of their depth, adaptability, and championship mindset. If they can find a way to stabilize their offensive line and keep their offense on track, they still have a chance to repeat as Super Bowl champions. But if Smith’s absence creates a long-term weakness, their title defense could come to an early end. Trey Smith Ankle Injury Concerns for the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t just about one player’s health—it’s about whether the Chiefs can overcome a critical setback and keep their championship dreams alive.