The Kansas City Chiefs will put their undefeated record to the test in NFL Week 7 when they travel to take on the San Francisco 49ers, the team they defeated in last season’s Super Bowl.
However, the two-time defending champions will take the field at Levi’s Stadium at less than full strength.
Wide receiver Rashee Rice, who had been emerging as their main target at that position, suffered a knee injury in Week 4 that will keep him out for the rest of the season.
Now, JuJu Smith-Schuster, who had been helping to pick up the slack in Rice’s absence, was added to the injury report as a limited participant in practice because of a hamstring ailment, according to Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest.
“Less than ideal for an already depleted Chiefs’ receiver corps,” Derrick wrote on X.
Juju Smith-Schuster added to Thursday’s injury report as limited with a hamstring.
Less than ideal for an already depleted Chiefs’ receiver corps. https://t.co/hzDYNiig38
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) October 17, 2024
Smith-Schuster was signed as a free agent during the preseason, and after a quiet start to the regular season, he made seven catches for 130 yards in a Week 5 win against the New Orleans Saints.
He previously played for the Chiefs in the 2022 campaign, and that year led their wide receivers with 933 yards as they won the second of their three Super Bowl championships of the Patrick Mahomes era.
If he is unable to play against the 49ers, Kansas City could be at a disadvantage against a team that is looking to rediscover its mojo.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce may be starting to show his age a bit, and though rookie wideout Xavier Worthy has some impressive qualities, he doesn’t seem ready to carry a sizable offensive load.
Kansas City is also without starting running back Isiah Pacheco, who is out with a leg injury but is eligible to come off injured reserve in Week 8, though he projects to remain sidelined longer than that.
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