Coming into last season, the Kansas City Chiefs held high hopes for their wide receiver room. The offseason signing of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, specifically, was expected to elevate the entire group.
One week into the preseason, that optimism was extinguished. Brown suffered a sternoclavicular injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which caused him to miss several months. By the time he returned to action, it was a classic too-little-too-late scenario.
This summer has brought both good and bad news regarding Brown. On one hand, a foot/ankle injury limited him during training camp and held him out of the preseason. On the other hand, he appears to be on the other side of it.
Outlook for Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown Positive Entering Chiefs’ Opener
Ahead of Week 1’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, head coach Andy Reid provided an update on Brown’s status.
“Yeah, listen, he’s done everything,” Reid said. “He’s looked good out there running around. Just get in the game and play. As far as practice goes, he’s done everything.”
Brown himself also gave the latest with the opener on the horizon.
“Feeling good,” Brown said. “Blessed. Real good.”
Brown, often injured throughout his career, suffered the aforementioned setback right when things seemed to be normal for him. Consequently, his August was anything but that. Now looking ahead, he’s past any nerves the injury caused.
“Of course,” Brown said. “I mean, I’m human. But ultimately, with everything I’ve been through, I never really get too high or too low. After that day — I was probably in my feelings a little bit that day — but moving forward, just went to attacking.”
Brown, a first-round NFL Draft pick back in 2019, appeared in 46 regular-season games in his first three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, he missed five games in 2022 and spent the last three weeks of 2023-24 on the Arizona Cardinals‘ sideline. That, combined with just two outings last year, added to his track record as a player with poor durability.
It also gives him the chance to quiet that narrative this season. Brown says he’s been waiting for this opportunity.
“Definitely for a while,” Brown said. “Even before I got here, I didn’t finish the season in Arizona. I feel like this is one of my first seasons in a while.”
Kansas City Likely Down 2 Weapons Against Chargers
If Brown is healthy and available, he’ll add another layer to the Chiefs‘ offense. Not only does he boast quality route-running chops, but he’s got good long speed and the ability to take the top off opposing defenses. That, paired with short-area effectiveness, gives quarterback Patrick Mahomes another exciting weapon to throw to.
He’ll certainly need it. To kick off the year, projected No. 1 wideout Rashee Rice won’t be on the field. He’s set to miss six games, in fact, due to a suspension. Not only that, but rookie receiver Jalen Royals is nursing knee tendonitis. Reid doesn’t seem too optimistic about his chances to play on Friday. Royals missed Tuesday’s Chiefs practice.
That leaves Brown and second-year man Xavier Worthy as potential replacements. The real option, however, might be veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster. He has an innate sense of where to be and when to be there, in addition to reliable hands. But like Brown, the injury bug frequently pays him a visit.
It’s never a good thing to be shorthanded to begin a season. It’s even worse to do so against a bitter division rival. Still, Brown’s expected presence can help offset some of that.
Chiefs Get Big-Time Hollywood Brown Injury Update for Week 1