Getty Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Charles Omenihu/
Kansas City Chiefs second-year wide receiver Justyn Ross saw a career-high 4 targets in the Chiefs’ 27-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. With those targets, he had 2 catches for 28 yards and dropped his other two targets.
There appeared to be a concerted effort by Kansas City’s coaching staff and quarterback Patrick Mahomes to get Ross the ball when he was on the field, as he only played a total of 6 offensive snaps in Week 5 yet received a target on over half of those snaps.
#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes throws a go ball to Justyn Ross, and he comes down with it for a 20-yard gain.
Not long after Ross caught his 20-yard reception on a wheel route late in the first quarter, Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu — who is currently serving a six-game suspension — took to Twitter/X to demand that Ross see the field more on game day.
“Yo put 8 in the game more!!” Omenihu wrote on October 8.
Yo put 8 in the game more !!
The demand within Chiefs Kingdom to see more of Ross on game day is increasing as the season progresses.
Ultimately, Ross’s playing time will only increase if he produces. The two drops in Week 5 certainly didn’t help his case to earn more playing time, but his lone 20-yard catch on a beautifully placed ball by Mahomes will leave Chiefs Kingdom hungry for more action for the 23-year-old receiver.
State of Chiefs Receiver Room Through 5 Games
Rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice is leading all Chiefs receivers in targets (24), catches (17), and touchdowns (2) through five games. Kadarius Toney (14 catches on 19 targets for 83 yards) and Skyy Moore (9 catches on 17 targets for 123 yards) were expected to be Mahomes’s top options in the receiver room this season but have underperformed thus far. Justin Watson leads all Kansas City receivers in yardage (219).
Justyn Ross has been on the field for a total of 54 offensive snaps through the first five weeks of the regular season, according to Pro Football Reference. 29 of those snaps came during Kansas City’s 41-10 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 3.
Speaking to the media after Kansas City’s Week 5 win, Patrick Mahomes shared his thoughts on Ross’s play versus the Vikings.
“Yeah, thought he played well. I mean, everybody knows he has the talent, so he made that big-time catch in the second, I think it was second and 18 or something like that,” Mahomes said on October 8. “Some of those other plays, I mean, he has the talent. We’re going to keep bringing him on and moving him around in different positions.
“But, I mean, there is a lot of young guys out there and we’re going to keep everybody moving and going in the right direction. I think by the end of the year we’re going to be dangerous because you’re not going to know who is going to get those opportunities throughout the game.”
Twitter Reacts to Charles Omenihu’s Message
Users on Twitter/X reacted to Charles Omenihu calling for Justyn Ross to get more playing time.
“1 Big Play And they sit him down? idk What the deal is with Andy Reid and Ross! its clear as Day Ross is the Missing Piece,” one user wrote.
@charless_94 1 Big Play And they sit him down ? idk What the deal is with Andy Reid and Ross ! its clear as Day Ross is the Missing Piece
“They won’t. We’ve been asking for it for weeks. Too busy playing Justin Watson Noah gray and sorry a** skyy Moore. (Marquez Valdes-)Scantling is literally out there for no reason. Rice and Ross just wasting away,” another user wrote.