Noah Gray Ruled Out with Concussion for the Kansas City Chiefs

As the Kansas City Chiefs enter a critical late-season stretch—fighting to retain their long-held AFC West title and secure a top playoff seed—a key piece of their offensive depth has been sidelined: tight end Noah Gray has been officially ruled out of the team’s upcoming Week 16 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a concussion. The news, announced by Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on Wednesday, comes at a precarious time for Kansas City, which is already navigating injuries at other skill positions and facing a Bengals defense that ranks top-10 in sacks. Noah Gray Ruled Out with Concussion for the Kansas City Chiefs breaks down the details of Gray’s injury, his importance to the Chiefs’ offense, and how the team plans to compensate for his absence in a game that could shape their postseason trajectory.

Noah Gray Ruled Out with Concussion for the Kansas City Chiefs begins with the timeline of Gray’s injury, which occurred during the Chiefs’ Week 15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. In the second quarter, Gray caught a 6-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes and was immediately hit by Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo, with his head making contact with Deablo’s shoulder pad. Gray remained on the field for a few moments before walking to the sideline, where he was evaluated by the Chiefs’ medical staff. He did not return to the game, and the team later listed him as “questionable” with a head injury—standard protocol for potential concussions. Over the following days, Gray underwent the NFL’s mandatory concussion protocol, which includes a series of cognitive and physical tests to assess brain function and symptom recovery. By Tuesday, Reid confirmed that Gray had not yet cleared the protocol, and on Wednesday, the team made the official call to rule him out. “Noah is progressing, but we’re not going to rush him back,” Reid said in a press conference. “The protocol is there for a reason—player safety comes first. We’ll take it day by day with him, but he won’t be available this week.”

To understand the impact of Noah Gray Ruled Out with Concussion for the Kansas City Chiefs, it’s essential to recognize Gray’s role in the team’s offense—one that extends far beyond traditional tight end duties. While Travis Kelce remains the Chiefs’ star tight end, Gray has emerged as a reliable complementary piece, excelling in “move” tight end roles: he lines up in the slot, out wide, and even in the backfield, creating mismatches for opposing defenses. In 2024, Gray has caught 38 passes for 352 yards and 2 touchdowns, but his value is most evident in his consistency as a checkdown target for Mahomes. When defenses pressure Mahomes, Gray is often the quarterback’s first option—he’s been targeted 12 times on third downs this season, converting 9 of those into first downs (a 75% conversion rate). He’s also a key blocker in the run game, helping spring running back Isiah Pacheco for 11 runs of 10+ yards this season. “Noah does the little things that don’t show up in the box score but win games,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said earlier this month. “He’s a Swiss Army knife for us—we can line him up anywhere, and he executes. Losing him hurts, especially against a defense like Cincinnati’s.”

Noah Gray Ruled Out with Concussion for the Kansas City Chiefs also examines how the team plans to fill the void left by Gray’s absence. The Chiefs’ primary backup tight end is Blake Bell, a seventh-year veteran who has spent most of his career as a situational blocker. Bell has just 12 catches for 108 yards this season, but he’s proven effective in short-yardage situations—he’s converted 4 of 5 third-and-1 runs as a fullback. The Chiefs may also turn to wide receiver Kadarius Toney in some tight end alignments; Toney, who has experience lining up in the slot, can create similar mismatches to Gray, though he lacks Gray’s blocking ability. Additionally, rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice could see more reps in two-tight end sets, shifting to the slot to allow Bell to line up at tight end. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the adjustment will require flexibility: they’ll need to lean on Kelce more heavily (Kelce already leads the team with 892 receiving yards) while finding creative ways to replace Gray’s blocking and checkdown production. “We’ve got guys who can step up,” Reid said. “Blake has been ready when called upon, and Kadarius and Rashee are versatile enough to handle some of Noah’s reps. It’s a next-man-up mentality, and that’s what this team is built on.”

Another layer of Noah Gray Ruled Out with Concussion for the Kansas City Chiefs is the timing of his injury, which comes as the Chiefs face a brutal stretch of opponents. After the Bengals, Kansas City will take on the Denver Broncos (their main AFC West rival) in Week 17 and the Buffalo Bills in Week 18—two teams with elite defenses that can exploit tight end depth gaps. The Bengals, in particular, have a pass rush that ranks 8th in the NFL with 42 sacks, and they often target backup tight ends in coverage; without Gray, the Chiefs may struggle to keep Mahomes protected, especially if Bell is forced to play extended snaps as a blocker. Additionally, the Broncos and Bills both use Cover 2 defenses that can limit Kelce’s impact, making Gray’s secondary receiving role even more critical. For the Kansas City Chiefs, Gray’s absence isn’t just a one-game issue—it’s a potential liability in their quest to win the AFC West and secure a first-round bye. “This is the time of year when depth matters most,” said former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, now an NFL analyst. “The Chiefs have gotten used to having Noah as a safety valve. Without him, Mahomes will have to hold the ball longer, and that’s when the Bengals’ pass rush can capitalize.”

The final dimension of Noah Gray Ruled Out with Concussion for the Kansas City Chiefs is the long-term concern for Gray’s health and his potential return this season. The NFL’s concussion protocol has no set timeline for recovery—players can clear it in a few days or take weeks, depending on symptom severity. While the Chiefs are hopeful Gray can return for the Broncos game in Week 17, there’s no guarantee, especially if he experiences lingering symptoms like headaches or dizziness. For Gray, who has never missed more than two games in a season due to injury, the concussion is a reminder of the physical toll of the NFL. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the uncertainty around Gray’s return adds another layer of pressure to their late-season push. If Gray is sidelined for multiple weeks, the Chiefs may need to sign a free-agent tight end to add depth, though the pool of available talent is limited this late in the season. Regardless of the short-term fix, one thing is clear: Noah Gray’s absence will test the Chiefs’ depth and adaptability—and how they respond could determine whether they extend their streak of seven consecutive AFC West titles or cede the division to the surging Broncos. As Reid put it, “We’ve got a challenge ahead of us, but this team has faced challenges before. We’ll adjust, and we’ll be ready to play on Sunday.”