The Kansas City Chiefs lost one of their all-pro wide receivers in last Sunday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Following a play in the second quarter, Sammy Watkins was seen hobbling to the Kansas City bench, holding his leg. Following the game, it was learned that Watkins had suffered an injury to his hamstring.
While doctors are still evaluating the injury, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday afternoon that the 27-year-old is expected to miss some time, possibly a couple of weeks.
Injuries have plagued Watkins throughout his career, keeping him from playing a full 16-game season since his rookie campaign (2014) when he was a member of the Buffalo Bills. The injury also makes the Chiefs thin in the wide receiver department, leaving them with only four on the depth chart.
Over the next four weeks, the Chiefs will play back-to-back road games against the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos before returning home to face the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
Since it’s highly unlikely Kansas City dives into the free agent pool, the only real option the Chiefs have in order to bring more depth to their receiving core is by promoting someone from the practice squad.
One guy to keep an eye on might be Marcus Kemp, who the Chiefs recently sent to their practice squad after waiving him a week ago in order to make room for Bashaud Breeland’s return to the active roster.
The Kansas City also has Gehrig Dieter, Jody Fortson, rookie Maurice Ffrench, and Chad Williams, whom they recently signed, to choose from as well. These are all young receivers who’d love an opportunity to make their mark on the NFL gridiron.
Watkins singed a one-year contract this past off-season to remain a Chief and has 21 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns through fives games this season.
