The Kansas City Chiefs are in remarkably good shape health-wise as they approach the end of a long, demanding football season. However, as Super Bowl LIX looms, there are a few familiar faces in red and gold whose absence is felt.
The Chiefs are gearing up for a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, aiming for a historic third consecutive Super Bowl victory in a rematch of a classic from two years prior. Both teams are stacked with talent, yet the Chiefs are missing some key players who would be crucial to their strategy if they were at full health. Of course, this is a common lament for both teams.
In today’s NFL, player health is just as critical to success as talent, luck, and preparation. Here are some players we’d love to see in the game but are glad they can still enjoy the Super Bowl atmosphere from the sidelines.
Rashee Rice, WR
Any discussion about missed players must start with the standout name: wide receiver Rashee Rice.
Even with the return of Hollywood Brown, the development of Xavier Worthy, and the addition of DeAndre Hopkins, Rice stands out as the driving force in the Chiefs’ receiving corps. His knack for being the go-to target and his extraordinary ability to gain significant yardage after the catch have been vital.
His role as the power slot receiver alongside Travis Kelce has been pivotal, earning him the complete trust of Patrick Mahomes. When Rice was sidelined by a season-ending injury, the Chiefs’ offense visibly struggled for weeks, relying heavily on their defense to push through to the end of the season.
Currently, the Chiefs’ offense is functioning well, but there’s no denying that Rice’s presence is missed. The question remains: do they have enough firepower to overcome the Eagles? If they fall short, Rice’s absence will likely be the focal point of analysis.
Jack Cochrane, LB
Not every absence is as significant as Rashee Rice’s, but they still sting. The Chiefs felt a notable impact when they lost Jack Cochrane for the remainder of the season just before Christmas, particularly in their special teams performance, as they lost one of Dave Toub’s essential contributors.
Cochrane suffered an ankle injury during a game against the Houston Texans in the regular season, instantly affecting the linebacker depth and special teams. He had been involved in nearly 80 percent of special teams plays in each of the last two seasons, and last year, he also saw an increase in defensive snaps, totaling 180.
Joining the Chiefs in 2022 as an undrafted free agent from South Dakota, Cochrane is set to return in 2025 for his final contracted year. While the Chiefs have brought in players like Swayze Bozeman to fill some of those roles, Cochrane’s experience would have been invaluable on Super Bowl Sunday.
Jared Wiley, TE
Oh, what could have been?
We’re getting a bit theatrical here, as Jared Wiley wasn’t anticipated to make much of an impact this season. He was vying for the TE3 spot with Irv Smith during training camp and was clearly behind both Noah Gray and Travis Kelce as the regular season began. So, expectations for him were modest at best.
Nonetheless, it’s always exciting to see rookies grow over the course of a season, much like how Xavier Worthy became increasingly crucial from Week 1 to the AFC Championship game. Watching Wiley learn from arguably the greatest tight end ever would have been an interesting journey. Unfortunately, a midseason torn ACL during practice cut that short, pushing his potential showcase to 2025.
Had Wiley been able to display the catching prowess he demonstrated at TCU, it might have led to some effective 13 personnel packages against the Eagles.
Mecole Hardman, WR
This should go without saying.
Mecole Hardman has been a crucial player for the Chiefs in previous Super Bowls, and while it’s exciting to see Nikko Remigio making an impression during this playoff run, Hardman’s speed and experience would have been valuable, especially for the Chiefs’ special teams on such a grand occasion.
However, instead of utilizing Hardman for returns, the Chiefs chose to end his season, even after activating the 21-day window for his potential return from injured reserve. Whether he wasn’t fully recovered or the team thought he wouldn’t be at his best, it seems like Hardman’s time with the Chiefs might have come to an end.
B.J. Thompson, DE
One of the most alarming moments of the Chiefs’ season came during the preseason when B.J. Thompson suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest at Arrowhead Stadium. Although we’re relieved that Thompson was eventually cleared and is hopefully in good health, the second-year pass rusher has been out of action all year.
Whether we’ll see Thompson back on the field for the Chiefs is uncertain, as health issues at this level are unpredictable. However, his potential as a situational pass rusher was promising, having come into the NFL from a smaller school like Stephen F. Austin with a track record of productivity. As a former fifth-round pick, there’s still hope he could develop into a valuable asset for the team. It’s just a pity he didn’t get the opportunity to showcase his abilities this season.
Jody Fortson, TE
Jody Fortson’s inclusion on the Chiefs’ practice squad at the start of the season was somewhat unexpected, especially with Kelce, Gray, and Wiley already in the mix. However, after Baylor Cupp was sidelined by injury, the team needed additional tight end depth, and Fortson stepped up.
When both Wiley and Peyton Hendershot were injured during the regular season, Fortson had a brief window to shine, appearing in three games for the Chiefs. His stats were modest, with just one catch for five yards from three targets.
Sadly, Fortson’s season was cut short by a torn ACL against the Raiders, adding another significant injury to his challenging NFL journey. Despite these setbacks, the former undrafted free agent from Valdosta State has shown remarkable resilience, managing to sustain a notable NFL career amidst numerous health issues. Although he won’t feature in another Super Bowl, it would have been great to see him there.
