Chiefs suffer another loss: Patrick Mahomes loses another offensive player for the season
The Chiefs have struggled to keep their roster healthy this season
Jared Wiley of the Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are dealing with yet another setback this season as tight end Jared Wiley joins the growing list of sidelined players.
Drafted from TCU in 2024, Wiley was a promising addition to an offense already under pressure to support star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Standing at 6-foot-6 and 249 pounds, Wiley was expected to bring a new dynamic to the offense; however, he saw limited opportunities early in the season.
After tight end Jordy Fortson’s ACL injury in Week 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders, fans hoped Wiley would have a chance to shine and earn more targets.
Unfortunately, Wiley suffered his own season-ending knee injury during a recent practice, leaving Mahomes with even fewer options on the field.
Following Wiley’s injury, head coach Andy Reid confirmed that the young tight end tore his ACL in a non-contact injury during practice.
Chiefs Digest reporter Matt Derrick explained the gravity of the loss, tweeting that Wiley’s injury marks the second tight end the Chiefs have lost in just one week.
With both Fortson and Wiley now out, the Chiefs will call up tight end Peyton Hendershot from the practice squad to fill the void.
While this is an opportunity for Hendershot to step up, losing two tight ends in a week is a significant blow to Kansas City’s offense.
The Chiefs have struggled to keep their roster healthy this season, having lost wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in the preseason opener, along with wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, who remains sidelined due to a hamstring issue.
Promising rookie’s potential goes unfulfilled
Wiley joined the Chiefs after an impressive college career at TCU, where he led all FBS tight ends in touchdowns last season. Initially, many expected that Wiley’s arrival could even challenge veteran tight end Noah Gray.
However, Gray’s experience and consistency earned him a three-year, $18 million extension in September, securing his position on the team.
Gray is currently enjoying his most productive season, with 17 receptions for 208 yards, and he will now have to carry a heavier load in Wiley’s absence.
Veteran tight end Travis Kelce, who initially started the season slowly, has found his rhythm, contributing 335 yards and a touchdown.
Together, Gray and Kelce must now keep the Chiefs’ offense competitive despite the absence of key players.
Despite these mounting challenges, the Chiefs have maintained their undefeated record this season (7-0) and now prepare to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) on Monday Night Football.
The Chiefs’ defense has been instrumental in their success, compensating for an offense weakened by injuries and occasional inconsistency.
Mahomes, who is in the midst of a rough statistical season with more interceptions (9) than touchdowns (8), will need his defense to deliver as the team returns home to Arrowhead Stadium.
