Tag: Sammy Watkins

Report: Chiefs ‘optimistic’ WR Sammy Watkins will return in Week 12

A new report says that Sammy Watkins won’t be out much longer for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins won’t play against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11, but he could make his return the following week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to a new report from The Athletic’s Nate Taylor, the Chiefs are optimistic that Watkins will return when the team travels to Tampa Bay. After tonight, Watkins will have missed the past five games for Kansas City. He suffered a hamstring injury during the Week 5 loss to the Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium.

There was previously some optimism that Watkins would make his return this week after he practiced in full on Wednesday. Then Watkins popped up as a limited participant in practice with a new calf injury. He was ruled out on Saturday. According to Taylor’s report, that injury is considered to be minor.

Watkins was hoping to escape the injury-prone narrative surrounding his career when he came to Kansas City, but he’s missed multiple games in each of his three seasons with the Chiefs. In total, he’ll have played in 29-of-37 possible regular-season games with Kansas City. When he’s been on the field for the Chiefs he’s been stellar, but he’s missed quite a few games over three years with mostly ticky-tacky injuries. Watkins has seen some of his best performances during the playoffs, including crucial catches during last year’s AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LIV.

It’s surprising that in an important AFC West game that Kansas City would err on the side of caution with Watkins. It’s likely that Mecole Hardman’s return from the reserve/COVID-19 list gave them the flexibility to do that. Expect Watkins to test his calf as soon as the team gets back to practice on Wednesday next week. If everything checks out, he should be good when the team heads to Tampa Bay.

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Chiefs make flurry of roster moves on Saturday ahead of Week 11

Another standout rookie returns from injured reserve and two players are elevated to the 53-man roster for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs have made a number of roster moves ahead of their Week 11 grudge match with the Las Vegas Raiders on “Sunday Night Football.”

First up, the Chiefs have ruled out WR Sammy Watkins, who was originally deemed questionable heading into the game. This will be his fifth missed game since suffering a hamstring injury back in Week 5.

Two players have been placed on injured reserve for Kansas City. Taco Charlton was expected to land on injured reserve with a fractured ankle suffered in Week 9. The Chiefs also placed starting RT Mitchell Schwartz on injured reserve. Schwartz has missed the past four games with a back injury and with his move to injured reserve, he’ll miss the next three games at the very least. This marks his first stint on injured reserve in his entire nine-year career.

As Chiefs HC Andy Reid anticipated, the team has activated CB L’Jarius Sneed from injured reserve. The rookie sensation suffered a clavicle injury in Week 3 that knocked him out for the past six games. His return couldn’t come at a better time as the defensive secondary struggled to slow the Raiders in Week 5.

In addition to Sneed’s return, the team also activated DE Alex Okafor from injured reserve. Okafor had been placed on injured reserve three weeks ago with a hamstring injury.

On top of those activations, the team also activated WR Mecole Hardman from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Hardman hasn’t practiced all week, but he’ll be cleared to play in Week 11.

The team also elevated 2 practice squad players to the 53-man roster. With Watkins ruled out and Martinas Rankin still on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team used the COVID-19 replacement designation to bring up OL Bryan Witzmann and the standard elevation designation to bring up WR Gehrig Dieter. This marks the second week that both players will have been elevated to the 53-man roster.

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Chiefs HC Andy Reid provides injury updates ahead of Wednesday practice

Two Kansas City Chiefs players won’t practice on Wednesday, but several will return to practice including rookie CB L’Jarius Sneed.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid gave his typical pre-practice injury update when he spoke to the media ahead of the first practice of the week on Wednesday.

The good news is that several key players will return to practice for the Chiefs in Week 9. The bad news is that two players won’t be participating in practice today, including one new player that hasn’t been on the injury report.

“As far as practicing today, Frank Clark won’t practice,” Reid told reporters on Wednesday. “He’s got a little bit of a swollen knee. He should be okay, though, as we go. But we’ll rest him up today.”

Clark wasn’t on the injury report last week, so this looks to be a new injury. It doesn’t seem to be something that Reid expects to be serious. Don’t be surprised to see Clark back at practice later this week after the comments from today.

“(Mitchell) Schwartz is not going to practice, likewise, with the back,” Reid continued.

Schwartz has missed two consecutive games with a back injury. It seems like they’re really trying to rest him up and make sure he’s available for the stretch run of the season. While Schwartz won’t be back today, the Chiefs did have three players return to practice.

“We do have Sherm (Anthony Sherman) back,” Reid said. “He’ll be out there.”

Sherman had missed the past few weeks as he was on the reserve/COVID-19 list following close contact with someone who contracted the virus. He’s been cleared to return from that list and practice with the team.

“Sammy Watkins will get some work in,” Reid said. “And we’ll see how he does.”

Watkins has missed the past three weeks due to a hamstring injury. He’d been working hard toward getting back. While Reid wouldn’t commit to full practice for Watkins, it’ll be good to see him out there getting some work in. His return to practice doesn’t necessarily indicate that he’ll play this week.

“(L’Jarius) Sneed will also be out there getting some work in,” Reid concluded.

Finally, the Chiefs’ standout rookie cornerback has been designated to return from injured reserve. Sneed suffered a fracture to his collarbone in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens and has been on injured reserve ever since. The team now has a 21-day practice window to decide whether he’ll be activated from injured reserve. It could be as early as this week or it could come following the bye week depending on how well Sneed does in practice.

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Chiefs HC Andy Reid provides injury updates ahead of Wednesday practice

Four Kansas City Chiefs players won’t practice on Wednesday.

Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid provided some injury updates when he spoke to the media ahead of the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Four players won’t be participating in practice according to Reid. He provided information on those players, including a new addition to the injury report in Taco Charlton.

“It’s not a personal day, he is hurt,” Reid said. “It happened later in the game and it just started bothering him. It was his knee and we’ll just see how it goes and give him some time here to let the thing heal up and see how bad it is.”

Charlton played in just 13 snaps during Monday’s win over the Bills. He was one of only three players available after Alex Okafor went down with an injury. This injury has the Chiefs approaching dangerous levels in terms of depth at the defensive end position. Only Frank Clark, Tanoh Kpassagnon and Demone Harris are currently healthy with Mike Danna on the injury report.

The other players that won’t participate in practice on Wednesday include Sammy Watkins, who suffered an injury in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Okafor won’t practice as he is dealing with a hamstring injury. Reid also said that Mitchell Schwartz wouldn’t practice on Wednesday as he continues to recover from a back injury.

Reid did provide another injury update on OL Martinas Rankin, who is able to practice for the first time this week after starting the season on the PUP list. Reid’s comments from last week suggested Rankin might not be ready to go, but today it sounded like he could be making his return to practice.

“He hasn’t done anything, so we’ll just see how it works out for him,” Reid said. “We’ll kind of take that day-by-day too. Again, we’ll just have to see, that’s why they have [the practice window] in here for us. You’ve got a [six] week period there that you can work with. Let’s just see how he does and where he’s at right now.”

If Rankin does indeed return to practice, he might not be a full participant right away. He could be a limited participant working his way up from individual work to something that could include some contact, though the Chiefs do a lot more walkthrough type of work during the course of the season.

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Bills vs. Chiefs: Final injury reports

Bills, Chiefs final injury reports for Week 6.

Here are the final full injury reports for both the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills ahead of their Week 6 at Bills Stadium from Saturday:

Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)

Out

  • WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring)
  • OL Kelechi Osemele (knees)

Questionable

  • OL Mitchell Schwartz (back)

Will play

  • CB Rashad Fenton (shoulder)
  • OL Eric Fisher (shoulder)
  • LB Anthony Hitchens (illness)
  • WR Mecole Hardman (ankle)
  • WR Tyreek Hill (heel)
  • DT Chris Jones (groin)
  • TE Nick Keizer (shoulder)
  • DT Derrick Nnadi (ankle)
  • C Austin Reiter (knee)
  • CB Charvarius Ward (hand)

Notes:

Watkins’ injury is not believed to be as serious as once thought, but he’s still not going to play vs. Bills. … Osemele is likely to land on the Chiefs’ injured reserve list. … Hitchens does not have COVID-19, per Chiefs Wire.

Buffalo Bills (4-1)

Out

  • TE Dawson Knox (calf)
  • QB Jake Fromm (quarantine)

Questionable

  • LB Tremaine Edmunds (shoulder)
  • OL Quinton Spain (foot)
  • LB Matt Milano (pec)
  • WR John Brown (knee)

Will play

  • RB Zack Moss (toe)
  • QB Josh Allen (shoulder)

Notes:

Spain was a late scratch for the Bills in Week 5. … Moss and Brown both missed Tuesday’s game vs. the Titans. … As did Milano and White, in full, but they only had limited practices on Thursday. … Allen is still listed because he is still receiving some sort of treatment on his left shoulder during the week which he injured vs. the Raiders in Week 4. … Knox was injured vs. the Titans. … Edmunds was a new addition on Friday.

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Bills vs. Chiefs: Friday injury reports

Injury reports for both the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs from Friday ahead of Week 6.

Here are the second full injury reports for both the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills ahead of their Week 6 at Bills Stadium from Friday:

Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)

Did not practice

  • WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring)
  • OL Kelechi Osemele (knees)

Limited practice

  • N/A

Full practice

  • CB Rashad Fenton (shoulder)
  • OL Eric Fisher (shoulder)
  • LB Anthony Hitchens (illness)
  • WR Mecole Hardman (ankle)
  • WR Tyreek Hill (heel)
  • DT Chris Jones (groin)
  • TE Nick Keizer (shoulder)
  • DT Derrick Nnadi (ankle)
  • C Austin Reiter (knee)
  • CB Charvarius Ward (hand)

Notes:

Watkins’ injury is not believed to be as serious as once thought, but he’s still unlike to play vs. Bills. … Osemele is likely to land on the Chiefs’ injured reserve list this week. … Hitchens does not have COVID-19, per Chiefs Wire.

Buffalo Bills (4-1)

Did not practice

  • TE Dawson Knox (calf)

Limited practice

  • QB Jake Fromm (quarantine)
  • LB Tremaine Edmunds (shoulder)
  • OL Quinton Spain (foot)

Full practice

  • QB Josh Allen (shoulder)
  • CB Tre’Davious White (back)
  • LB Matt Milano (pec)
  • WR John Brown (knee)
  • RB Zack Moss (toe)

Notes:

Spain was a late scratch for the Bills in Week 5. … Moss and Brown both missed Tuesday’s game vs. the Titans. … As did Milano and White, in full, but they only had limited practices on Thursday. … Allen is still listed because he is still receiving some sort of treatment on his left shoulder during the week which he injured vs. the Raiders in Week 4. … Knox was injured vs. the Titans. … Edmunds was a new addition on Friday.

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Chiefs will lean on WR Mecole Hardman in Sammy Watkins’ absence

Hardman will hear his number called in the absence of Watkins even if they play different roles.

The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to be without WR Sammy Watkins for a few weeks due to a hamstring injury. In his absence, the team will call on second-year WR Mecole Hardman to pick up the slack. In 2019, Hardman started five games, appearing in 16 total, recording 26 receptions for 538 yards and seven touchdowns. Hardman feels that what he went through last season prepared him for an expanded role this year.

“I’m prepared, man. I think I did it last year when Tyreek (Hill) went down, and I think when Sammy (Watkins) went down one time too,” Hardman told reporters on Thursday. “I think I’m ready for the challenge. I don’t think it’s anything that I can’t handle. I’m practicing hard, doing what I need to do, so whenever I get that opportunity, I’m going to take advantage of it. Just come back, see what Coach Reid has in store for me, what he wants me to do. Whatever they’ve got planned for me, that’s what I’m going to go out there and do and do it the best that I can.”

Hardman has already seen his snaps increase this season when Watkins wasn’t on the field in 2020. He saw an increase in snaps when Watkins was knocked out of the game in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He also saw an increase in snaps in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders when Watkins’ hamstring injury occurred.

While Hardman will certainly see an increase in snaps, he and Watkins aren’t the same types of players. Andy Reid described Watkins’ role as a low-post center, but Hardman seems to play more like a shooting guard if we’re sticking to basketball analogies.

“I think Sammy does things like blocks very well, he’s a good position route runner underneath,” Hardman said. “I think some people don’t really see what he does. He gets guys open, especially with guys like him, you really have to draw attention to Sammy because he’s also really good after the catch as well. That’s not a guy that you just want to keep catching the ball over and over, so you’ve got to put some attention to him. With (Travis) Kelce and him working underneath and me and Tyreek (Hill) over the top, what he does is special that makes everybody around him better. He’s a good leader and he makes sure everybody is good. He blocks very well in certain situations; he blocks after the catch and he’s good after the catch. Those things right there are where me and (Byron) Pringle have to step up on if he is out of this game and fill those roles and some of the production that he has. Stuff like that, you’ve definitely got to take notice of what Sammy does. Not when the ball is in his hands but what he does without the ball in his hands.”

Hardman is admittedly a little down on himself as a blocker, but Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is very confident in his abilities, including his blocking. Bieniemy is very excited to see him showcase those abilities against the Buffalo Bills.

“I think all of them bring a little bit of something special to the table,” Bieniemy said on Friday. “Mecole (Hardman) has some explosive speed. He does some things that everyone can’t do. One thing that we love with Mecole, when that ball is in his hands he finds a way to make things happen. One thing that we always want to do is find ways to get him in space. Find creative ways to get the ball in his hands. But one thing I will say, he has done a heck of a job of being a good blocker. I don’t know why he’s taking that away from himself, because he does have that attitude and that determined mindset. The thing I am looking forward to is watching him handle the play-to-play situations. Now he’s being thrust into that role, now he has to be productive for a high percentage of time throughout the duration of the game. We’re counting on him to do well and we’re counting on some other guys to step up as well.”

At the end of the day, Hardman won’t be asked to do everything that Watkins does because they are different players. However, the Chiefs can certainly find ways to get him the ball and use his explosiveness to their advantage in Week 6 when they head to Buffalo.

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Chiefs HC Andy Reid provides injury updates ahead of Thursday practice

Four Kansas City Chiefs players won’t practice on Thursday.

Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid provided some injury updates when he spoke to the media ahead of the first practice of the week on Thursday. Four players won’t be participating in practice according to Reid. He provided information on those players, several of whom were injured during the Week 5 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders, starting with linebacker Anthony Hitchens.

“As far as the injuries go, Hitch (Anthony Hitchens) is sick,” Reid said. “Not COVID, as we know it. So he’s been still testing and all, but he’s just sick.”

Hitchens suffered a hand injury during Week 5 and was in and out of the game due to that injury. He was also the team’s best linebacker on the field in Week 5, so his illness is something to monitor throughout the week. It’s worth noting the Chiefs hosted a familiar linebacker for a visit earlier this week.

Next, Reid confirmed the devastating double-knee injury to starting LG Kelechi Osemele.

“Kelechi (Osemele) did tear the tendons in his knees,” Reid confirmed. “So he won’t be out [at practice].”

It’s likely that Osemele’s season is over. Fans should expect a move to the injured reserve list for Osemele in the coming days.

Reid also provided an update on FB Anthony Sherman, who was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week.

“Sherm (Anthony Sherman) will be out also,” Reid said. “[He’s] still in the protocol.”

Sherman is reported to have come into close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, which is why he landed on the list. Reid didn’t confirm or deny that report, he simply confirmed that he’s going through the protocols. He could be on the list for as few as five days depending on the outcome of the situation.

Finally, Reid said that Sammy Watkins wouldn’t practice on Thursday with his hamstring injury. The situation doesn’t seem to be as dire as previously reported. Reid doesn’t believe that he’ll need to take a three-week stay on injured reserve, though, ultimately the decision is up to the general manager.

“Yeah, I know Brett (Veach) is working through all of that,” Reid said. “With Sammy (Watkins) I don’t think that’s what it is. I think we’re just going to let him heal up and take it from there.”

It’s possible that Watkins only misses a week or two with his injury which would be big news for the Kansas City offense. We’ll have more updates on injuries for you after practice once the first injury report of the week is released.

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No ‘Sammy Watkins revenge game’ en route during Bills-Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins was injured in Week 5 and won’t play in Week 6.

While the Buffalo Bills had the “Zay Jones revenge game” a few weeks ago, the “Sammy Watkins revenge game” will have to wait.

In Week 6, the Bills will host the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Watkins, 27, is currently not expected to play against his former team.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Watkins is going to miss a couple of games due to a hamstring injury he suffered on Sunday against the Raiders:

On the season, Watkins has 21 catches for 222 yards with two touchdowns, one of which came in the Chiefs’ loss to the Raiders.

Watkins was Buffalo’s first-round pick in 2014, but it never worked out during his time with the Bills. Injuries consistently hampered his time in Buffalo, and eventually he was traded. Watkins did briefly spend time in training under Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane, but before the 2017 regular season, Watkins was shipped out to the Los Angeles Rams with a sixth-round pick for cornerback EJ Gaines and a second-round pick.

Watkins has yet to face against the Bills in his career.

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Report: Chiefs’ Sammy Watkins expected to miss time with hamstring injury

A new report says that Watkins will miss time with his injury.

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The Kansas City Chiefs could be without Sammy Watkins for the next few weeks according to a new report.

Watkins suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. That injury will keep Watkins on the sideline according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who says that Watkins is expected to miss multiple weeks due to the injury.

Andy Reid spoke on the injury following the game, saying that Watkins, “tore his hamstring.” Adding the team would monitor things over the next few days in terms of the severity of the injury. Schefter reports that the evaluation of his injury is still ongoing. Missing a few weeks could suggest a slight tear that needs rest and not surgical repair.

With this injury, Watkins hasn’t had a full healthy season since he joined the Chiefs back in 2018. He missed six regular-season games in 2018 and two in 2019. Injured reserve could be an option for Watkins if the team expects him to miss three or more weeks with his injury. Teams are allowed to bring back an unlimited number of players from injured reserve and players only need to be on the list for three weeks before they’re allowed to be designated for return.

In any event, this is not great news for a Kansas City offense that has struggled at times this season. Watkins had 21 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns so far this season. Him being on the sidelines takes away another reliable target from Patrick Mahomes’ arsenal. The team will rely on a trio of receivers in his absence including Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle.

Hardman, in particular, is someone who has seen his snap count increase when Watkins left the game with an injury in Week 2 and again in Week 5. Andy Reid spoke a bit about Hardman’s performance during his press conference today, as reporters asked about potential replacement options for Watkins.

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