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The Kansas City Chiefs had a new injury appear on Thursday of Week 7, as wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster turned in a “limited” practice due to a hamstring issue — per the team.
Needless to say, this is a less-than-ideal turn of events being that the Chiefs are already short on depth and playmaking ability at the WR position.
Smith-Schuster took over for Rashee Rice as one of Patrick Mahomes’ favorite targets ahead of the bye week, recording 7 catches for 130 yards against the New Orleans Saints. “When we got in the game, it kind of just clicked,” Mahomes said on October 16, regarding his immediate chemistry with Smith-Schuster.
“That was something that was big for me,” the Chiefs QB went on. “We’ll continue to get him involved in the offense, as well as other guys.”
If Smith-Schuster is unable to go in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City will once again rally around the next man up mentality. In this case, that would be some combination of rookie Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore and a potential practice squad elevation like Justyn Ross or Nikko Remigio.
Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster Made No Mention of Injury on Wednesday of Week 7
Smith-Schuster actually addressed the media on Wednesday, October 16, and there was no mention of any injury. Now, obviously, this could mean one of two things.
Either Smith-Schuster is fine and the hamstring issue is more of a precautionary note in order to satisfy league rules. Or, option number two, the veteran picked up the injury in practice on Thursday.
The latter would be far more concerning for Smith-Schuster’s availability against the Niners.
JuJu Smith-Schuster Talks Chiefs Breakout & the Difficulties of Switching Teams
“An opportunity presented itself, [and] I took the opportunity to work with [Mahomes] throughout the week and my time here,” Smith-Schuster said, regarding his breakout performance in Week 5.
He added that he was “very happy” that he was able to help the team win versus the Saints.
While the veteran clearly has familiarity in this offense, he acknowledged that “it’s tough” for wide receivers — or NFL players in general — to learn new offensive or defensive systems midseason. With the Chiefs and head coach Andy Reid, Smith-Schuster explained that “the pace” of the offense is the most difficult factor to pick up on the fly.
With the 2024 trade deadline looming, Smith-Schuster’s words are yet another reminder that KC may have to make it work with what they’ve got in their pursuit of a three-peat. After all, opposing franchises aren’t exactly lining up to trade with KC, and that’s before finding the right fit.
JuJu Smith-Schuster Has Become the ‘Unc’ of Chiefs WR Corps
There’s been a little running joke between Smith-Schuster and Chiefs Kingdom that he’s become the “Unc” of this wide receiver room. As in Uncle, or elder member. The soon-to-be 28-year-old discussed that new role on October 16.
“The young guys like Xavier [Worthy] always make fun of me, like — ‘Unc, man, I don’t know if he still got it,’” Smith-Schuster told reporters with a laugh. “For myself, I think it’s funny, but at the same time, it’s pretty cool that I can be a leader in that room.”
He also confirmed that this is the first time he’s ever become the “Unc” of a WR corps.
“I wasn’t Unc in New England, just because we had a couple of guys that were older — around the same age but a little bit older — and then coming here to a room where you got a bunch of young guys, it’s pretty much just me and [Watson],” Smith-Schuster said.
As for wisdom that he can bestow on the younger wide receivers, Smith-Schuster urged them not to take their time in Kansas City for granted, calling it a “special” place to play. Having said that, he also advised his fellow pass-catchers to always focus on the next play, rather than the highs and lows of whatever came prior.
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