NFL Media reports that Long suffered a leg injury that could keep him out through training camp. Initial thoughts were that it would keep him out for the season, but the hope is that Long will be able to return to action before the start of the regular season.
Long did not play in 2020 after missing 34 games over his final four years with the Bears due to injury, but signed with the Chiefs as part of their offensive line overhaul this offseason.
It looked like Long would be competing for the right guard spot during camp. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who is also returning from sitting out the 2020 season, Andrew Wylie and sixth-round pick Trey Smith may now make up the group vying for that spot.
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
while I have high hopes for Smith I'd rather not have the entire right side of the line from Center over be all rookies.
We run shotgun 77% of the time. Mahomes blind side should be no problem with Brown and Thuney protecting it. He would have the whole right side right in his vision the whole time. If something goes wrong once in a while, Mahomes is a magician at improvising. Shouldn't be a huge issue I wouldn't think. [Reply]
The belief is Kyle Long suffered a fractured kneecap, per source. Sounds painful (and surely is!) but Long has a chance to be ready Week 1. https://t.co/UAt5OmBjj5
I'm not surprised at all. This is who Long is. Before he retired, he missed a lot of time the last few years. He was a low risk high reward signing to begin with. That's why we have depth. LDT / Blythe (if he's not starting at Center) can handle it until Smith is ready. Want no part of Wylie [Reply]
I did everything I could to prepare to get back for football. Zero regrets. I’ve been getting better everyday and having so much fun with my new team. Focusing on controlling the things I can control. Yesterday was not one of those things! Thanks for the well wishes.
Originally Posted by TEX:
I'm not surprised at all. This is who Long is. Before he retired, he missed a lot of time the last few years. He was a low risk high reward signing to begin with. That's why we have depth. LDT / Blythe (if he's not starting at Center) can handle it until Smith is ready. Want no part of Wylie
This.
I didn't want Long because I figured this would happen. Fortunately, they didn't stop with Long and they still have plenty of competition. He can be let go gently so there's no reason to worry about this at all. [Reply]
Correction: It's a lower-leg injury, but not a fractured kneecap. The timeline remains the same. Kyle Long has a chance to be ready Week 1. https://t.co/rDtjQPDoGE
