The Kansas City Chiefs will begin their season without their newly acquired star wide receiver, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. Brown is expected to miss between four to six weeks due to a sternoclavicular joint dislocation, an injury he sustained during the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Brown joined Kansas City as a free agent and was part of the first-team offense for the initial series of the preseason game. Despite the excitement surrounding his debut, the wide receiver’s night was cut short after making an 11-yard catch on the very first play. Initially listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, it was later confirmed that Brown had dislocated his sternoclavicular joint.
Following the injury, Brown was hospitalized for further evaluation and spent one night under medical care before being discharged. In a fortunate turn of events, he has successfully avoided surgery. However, his recovery timeline places his availability for the regular season opener on September 5 in serious doubt.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the situation succinctly, stating, "I think he'll miss some time. We'll just see where it's at."
Brown’s injury brings back memories of 2019, when Tyreek Hill suffered a similar sternoclavicular injury and missed four weeks. With Brown facing a comparable recovery period, the Chiefs’ coaching staff, led by Andy Reid, will be closely monitoring his rehabilitation process. The focus will be on conditioning and physical therapy to ensure he returns to full strength.
Brown was originally a first-round draft choice by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. He proved his mettle during his tenure with the Ravens, especially in 2021 when he notched a 1,000-yard campaign. In 2022, Brown continued to showcase his skills after being traded to the Arizona Cardinals, catching 51 balls for 574 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games.
The Chiefs had high hopes for Brown’s impact this season after bringing him in as a free agent. His playmaking ability and dynamic presence on the field were expected to add a new dimension to Kansas City’s already potent offense. Now, the team must navigate the early part of their schedule without their prized acquisition.
As the Chiefs gear up for the regular season, the absence of Brown will undoubtedly test their offensive depth. Kansas City will need other wide receivers to step up and fill the void left by Brown’s injury. The coaching staff will be evaluating their options and could potentially look to adjust their offensive schemes to mitigate the impact of Brown's absence.
While the setback is significant, the Chiefs remain optimistic about Brown’s return and the contributions he can make once fully healed. Given his track record and work ethic, there is confidence within the organization that Brown will make a strong comeback.
The coming weeks will be crucial for Brown as he embarks on his recovery journey. Fans and teammates alike will be eager to see him back in action, bolstering the Chiefs’ receiving corps and electrifying the offense. For now, however, Kansas City must forge ahead, adapting and adjusting to the challenges of losing one of their key players as they aim to make another deep playoff run.