NFL
Why isn’t JuJu Smith-Schuster playing for the Chiefs against the Broncos in Week 10?
Patrick Mahomes has shaken off an ankle issue to play, but wide receiver Smith-Schuster remains absent for the Super Bowl winners.
The Kansas City Chiefs head into Sunday’s Week 10 game against the Denver Broncos in devastating form having won each of their opening eight matchups of the 2024 NFL season.
Andy Reid’s side have, of course, triumphed in three of the last five Super Bowls and have already established themselves as the team to beat again once again this year. No team has ever achieved a three-peat in the Super Bowl era, the next challenge for Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Co to take on.
After eight successive victories, the Chiefs will again be expected - and expect - to post another win against the Broncos, potentially in front of pop royalty (i.e. Taylor Swift) at Arrowhead Stadium.
Quarterback Mahomes is one of nine players who have appeared on the injury report for Week 10, although a minor ankle issue didn’t prevent him from fully participating in practice on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, which means he will start as usual against Denver.
Juju Smith-Schuster injury update
On the other hand, Juju Smith-Schuster has been on the sidelines all week because of an ongoing hamstring injury, which he sustained in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Reid confirmed on Friday the Pro Bowl wide receiver would miss a third successive game, which didn’t come as a surprise given his lack of practice.
Smith-Schuster has played an important role for the Chiefs in the absence of long-term casualty Rashee Rice, although the recent trading of DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans could limit his impact once he returns from his injury, which could be as early as Week 11, when Kansas visit the Buffalo Bills.