The Kansas City Chiefs are banged up but still unbeaten.
The reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champions moved to 9-0 on Sunday after blocking a 35-yard field goal attempt by Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz as time expired to win 16-14.
The Chiefs and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes have been far from their best this season but have still found a way to win, win, and win again.
Now, a number of key personnel who have been sidelined with injuries are nearing a return, which spells even more bad news for the rest of the NFL.
Wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, running back Isiah Pacheco, and defensive end Charles Omenihu have all been out with injuries to start the campaign.
Smith-Schuster has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury. Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2 and has been out ever since while Omenihu tore his ACL and has not played or practiced yet this season.
But according to head coach Andy Reid, all three are “very close” to returning to action.
“They’re all close. JuJu closer than the other two. I’d tell you, we might have them out there (at practice). They’re all close, all three of them.”
Having all three potentially return to practice this week is undoubtedly a positive update. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll all suit up for the Week 11 clash with the Buffalo Bills, especially in the case of Pacheco and Omenihu.
Their injuries were more serious than Smith-Schuster’s, requiring surgeries which caused them to even miss more time.
Chiefs medical staff are likely to be overly cautious with both Pacheco and Omenihu and take their time reintegrating the pair back into the team so as to not aggravate any lingering injuries.
Smith-Schuster is expected to slot right back into the wide receiver rotation alongside starters Xavier Worthy and recent acquisition DeAndre Hopkins.
Pacheco, who may not return until as late as Week 14 or 15, will likely share minutes with Kareem Hunt in the short term, at least until he’s back to full fitness.
The Chiefs signed former running back standout Hunt in the wake of Pacheco’s injury.
Since making his season debut in Week 4, Hunt has averaged a league-high 22.2 carries per game, although he is averaging just 3.7 yards per rush.
All in all, Hunt has filled in for six games and secured 449 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Pacheco has emerged as one of Mahomes’ most potent weapons in recent years. His strength in the rushing game and ability to pick up yards after contact has been instrumental in the Chiefs’ last two Super Bowl runs.
The 25-year-old averaged 4.9 yards per carry in 2022 and 4.6 yards per carry in 2023.
Overall, Hunt has done a solid if not spectacular job filling in for Pacheco, but once No. 10 is healthy it’s clear he’s ‘Big Red’s’ RB1.
The return of Omenihu alongside defensive stalwart Chris Jones will also give the defense a much-needed boost, not that they really need it.
The Chiefs’ stingy D carried them through the regular season last year when Reid’s offense struggled and has been the bedrock for an unblemished campaign in 2024.
They have allowed fewer than 28 points in 30 straight games.
The Chiefs’ defense is ranked fifth in yards given up this season and third in rushing yards allowed.
KC are bidding for an unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat in 2025 to cement their status as the one of the NFL’s all-time great dynasties.
Now, they’re dreaming of becoming only the second team in NFL history to have an undefeated, Super Bowl-winning season.
