Tag: RB

Could free agent Alex Collins be an answer to Chiefs’ RB woes?

If injuries or inconsistency have the Kansas City Chiefs looking at running backs, Alex Collins could be a good option.

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The Kansas City Chiefs suffered two injuries at the running back position during their win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 11.

It’s not entirely how clear how severe the injuries are yet, and we likely won’t have any answers until next week. The Chiefs should be looking for more options at the position anyway because they’ve seemingly failed to find any consistency out of the position group this season.

During the preseason, everyone thought rookie Darwin Thompson was due for a big year. He’s failed to make much of an impact, only being active for seven games this season. LeSean McCoy seems to be their best running back, but he’s long in the tooth and not quite as effective. Damien and Darrel Williams both seem to be in spot roles, but neither has been convincing as the lead running back.

Luckily, a running back is available who could alleviate some pressure down the stretch. Former Baltimore Ravens running back Alex Collins was officially reinstated by the league from a three-game suspension on Tuesday. His suspension stemmed from an arrest in March in which he was charged with marijuana and firearms possession. He accepted a plea deal in the case.

Collins also suffered a broken leg during the offseason and had surgery to repair the injury. He now claims that he is fully healthy and recovered from that injury.

During his two seasons with the Ravens, Collins quickly established himself as a starter and a good one at that. He played in 25 total games with 326 carries for 1,384 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also had 38 receptions on 56 targets for 292 yards and a touchdown. At 5 feet 10 and 210 pounds, he has good size; it’s hard for defenders to bring him down on first contact. Collins showcases a similar elusiveness and contact balance to former Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt. One area that Collins probably wouldn’t help is with ball security — he had seven fumbles during his career with the Ravens.

The Chiefs don’t need another headache off the field, but if Collins is reformed and ready to play football, Kansas City could be a good next stop for him.

Chiefs RB Damien Williams, S Jordan Lucas questionable to return with injuries

Some more injuries for the Kansas City Chiefs as they face the Los Angeles Chargers.

Name a more iconic duo than the 2019 Kansas City Chiefs and injuries.

After losing wide receiver Tyreek Hill to a hamstring injury earlier in the game, the Chiefs have now lost running back Damien Williams to a rib injury and safety Jordan Lucas to a shoulder injury. Both players are listed as questionable to return but don’t hold your breath on a return for either player.

Williams was injured in an ugly collision with linebacker Thomas Davis. He was writhing in pain on the ground after taking a knee to the ribcage while being tackled to the ground. It didn’t look too pretty and the only saving grace is that he was able to get up and walk off the field under his own power.

As for Jordan Lucas, it appears that he was injured on a special teams play. Kansas City is calling his injury a shoulder injury. That’s where he makes the biggest impact for the Chiefs too. They’ll miss him there, but it’s not exactly like the ST units for Kansas City have been exceptional this season.

Luckily for the Chiefs, they still have two really good options at the RB position in LeSean McCoy and Darrel Williams. That should help offset the loss of Damien for the time being. Hopefully, the Chiefs aren’t dealing with a long-term injury, but if they are they should be okay given the depth they have at the position.

Update:

The Chiefs have ruled out both players with their respective injuries.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid explains RB LeSean McCoy’s absence vs. Titans

Is this a reasonable explanation for why RB LeSean McCoy was made inactive or just the one that Andy Reid is giving out?

Kansas City Chiefs running back LeSean McCoy was a healthy scratch against the Tennessee Titans in Week 10.

There was little indication leading up to the game against the Titans that McCoy would get the week off. Perhaps the writing was on the wall after McCoy lost a crucial fumble in Week 8 against the Packers. The Chiefs turned to Damien Williams in Week 9 as McCoy saw just six snaps.

If we’re to believe Andy Reid’s explanation, McCoy being made inactive had nothing to do with the fumble. Instead, Reid claims to be managing the workload of the 31-year-old running back.

“Yeah, I just thought it was the right thing to do right now,” Reid said after the game. “LeSean’s not getting any younger, so it’s important that I manage him the right way as we go. I just thought it was the right thing to do at this time.”

Basically, Reid chalked missing this game up to McCoy receiving veteran rest. What exactly warrants that rest, though? McCoy did have an ankle injury earlier this season, but he did not appear on the injury report during the week leading up to the Titans game.

As far as the workload is concerned, McCoy has played only 204 snaps this season. His game-high of 32 snaps came against the Detroit Lions in Week 4. Williams has seen 220 total snaps on the season, so it isn’t like McCoy is getting workhorse snaps every week.

Reid wouldn’t commit to a sure plan for McCoy moving forward. It seems there’s something Reid wants to see from him in practice before he returns to the lineup.

“We’ll see,” Reid said. “I’ll just manage him the way that I think is best so that he stays effective throughout the season. That’s not where I’m at right this minute. I’ll get there with him. We’ll see how it goes this week.”

That bit about staying effective has me wondering if Reid isn’t trying to motivate McCoy by making him inactive. It feels strikingly similar to what happened with Reggie Ragland earlier in the season. Reid claimed he was still a starter, yet he was inactive for several weeks before he was eased back in and became a bigger part of the game plan.

Could something like that work with McCoy? We’ll find out when he makes his return, which could be as early as Monday night in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers in Mexico City.