Overcoming injuries was a part of the Chiefs’ journey in 2024

Each season has its storylines. Undoubtedly, the main storyline for the Kansas City Chiefs this season was their quest to complete the three-peat, making history as the first team to do so in the Super Bowl era. Completing that task was never going to be easy.

Complicating matters for the Chiefs this season was the barrage of significant injuries the team suffered en route to their fifth Super Bowl appearance in six seasons. Perhaps more than any other season during the Chiefs’ dynasty, the team had to work through major injuries that threatened to derail their postseason hopes.

Before flipping the page to Super Bowl preparations for the Philadelphia Eagles, let’s take a moment to reflect on how the Chiefs overcame the adversity they faced this season.

Wide receivers Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice

The preseason couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start for the Chiefs. On the very first play from scrimmage, Brown was injured after a catch and tackle in which he landed directly on his shoulder. The tackle resulted in a sternoclavicular joint dislocation. Initially considered to be a short-term injury similar to the injury to former Chief wide receiver Tyreek Hill, the injury ultimately resulted in Brown missing the majority of the regular season.

He returned in Week 16 after surgery in September to repair and stabilize the dislocated joint. Since returning from injury, he’s provided a notable boost to the offense and a much-needed deep threat for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Brown was targeted seven times in the AFC Championship, and he figures to be a huge piece of the offensive puzzle in the Super Bowl.

Four weeks into the regular season, the Chiefs lost another massive offensive weapon when Rice was injured via friendly fire after an interception thrown by Mahomes. After some speculation and uncertainty regarding the nature and extent of his injury, it was eventually deemed long-term, and he was placed on the Reserve/Injured list. Rice was on track to have a breakout season, as he had emerged as the No. 1 weapon for Mahomes in the early weeks of the season.

The injuries suffered by the top two wide receivers on the depth chart forced Mahomes to work with a patchwork group of receivers for the third consecutive season. It also necessitated the team to bring back wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and trade for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Smith-Schuster was instrumental in the AFC Championship with two 30-plus yard receptions. Both players, along with Brown, are available for the Super Bowl.

Running back Isiah Pacheco

The early season attrition continued in Week 2 when running back Isiah Pacheco suffered a broken fibula. Pacheco missed 10 weeks following the injury before returning in late November.

To fill the void left by Pacheco, the team brought back former Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt. This was a surprising move by the team because of how Hunt’s first tenure with the Chiefs ended.

Where would this team be without the services of Kareem Hunt? Potentially not preparing for the Super Bowl.

Hunt finished the 2024 season with 200 rushing attempts for 728 yards and seven touchdowns — more yards than he had as a complementary back with the Cleveland Browns in each of the previous three seasons.

Although Pacheco has not looked as explosive since returning from injury, he and Hunt now form a two-headed running back tandem that will be relied upon against the Eagles.

Cornerback Jaylen Watson

The most significant loss for the Chiefs’ defense in the 2024 season was the loss of Watson in Week 7 due to a fractured fibula and tibia. The pass defense took a notable dip in production and efficiency following the loss of Watson. Before the injury, he had solidified himself as cornerback number two behind Trent McDuffie.

Based on the injury, this certainly had the potential to be season-ending. Credit is due to the Chiefs’ athletic training staff and Watson’s work ethic; he returned for the postseason. Watson’s usage increased from the Divisional round (58% of snaps) to the AFC Championship (71% of snaps), although he has not started in either postseason matchup.

With Watson’s return, the Chiefs have a fully healthy defensive secondary prepared to face the dynamic Eagles’ offense.

Kicker Harrison Butker

The veteran kicker underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in November and proceeded to miss a month following the surgery. In his stead, the Chiefs employed two kickers, Spencer Shrader and former Chief Matthew Wright. In so doing, the Chiefs became the only team in NFL history to have three different kickers kick a game-winning field goal in the same season.

Butker has been clutch for the Chiefs in their run, and he has gone 4 for 4 in the postseason on field goals this season.

Defensive linemen Charles Omenihu, Chris Jones and Mike Danna

The Chiefs weathered the majority of the season without Omenihu, who tore his ACL in the 2023 AFC Championship. He returned in Week 13, helping to provide another steady pass rusher. Both Jones and Danna missed time in 2024 due to a calf strain. The unit’s pass rush took a dip from their 2023 numbers but did enough to win games and make the play when it mattered.

Now: Finish the job

Despite all the notable injuries throughout the 2024 regular season, the Chiefs entered the postseason at near full health. This is partly due to their management of the schedule at the end of the season. They made many roster moves during the season to re-fortify the roster, including a “reunion tour” of sorts, bringing back many former players.

The Chiefs have traveled farther than any other team in NFL history, seeking their third consecutive Super Bowl title and setting a franchise record for wins. It’s been a trying journey to this point. However, football immortality now lies at their fingertips, and they have a chance to cement themselves as the greatest football dynasty of all time.