Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown was supposed to be a featured part of the passing attack, but a preseason injury sidelined him for the entire season. What was originally anticipated to be a week-to-week ailment ultimately landed him on the injured reserve list and threatened his ability to suit up for Kansas City in 2024. While some believed he could return for a postseason run, head coach Andy Reid recently implied he could return to action in the regular season.
During a recent interview, the three-time Super Bowl champion head coach Andy Reid said Brown is “making very good progress.” While he didn’t give an exact timeline for his return, Reid spoke as though he will be back on the field at some point in the regular season. This could be huge news for a 9-1 Kansas City Chiefs team that hasn’t been as dominant as usual on the offensive side of the ball.
#Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on Hollywood Brown. #ChiefsKingdom @KSHB41 @41IsTheMic pic.twitter.com/4zGbz3W2wH
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) November 20, 2024
Andy Reid: Marquise Brown “Making Very Good Progress” In Return From Injury
Marquise Brown originally entered the NFL as a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Selected by the Baltimore Ravens, the Oklahoma product made an immediate name for himself as a reliable deep threat and dangerous weapon after the catch. While nobody will confuse him with prime Randy Moss, Brown is a reliable deep threat who was supposed to replace Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the Chiefs offense. After cutting the former Packer, Kansas City signed the former first-round pick to a one-year, prove-it deal that looked beneficial for both sides.
With Marquise Brown sidelined due to his injury, the Chiefs entrusted the deep role to first-round rookie Xavier Worthy. While the Texas product has made a few nice plays throughout the season, the overall body of work leaves something to be desired. Through the first 10 games of his professional career, Worthy has recorded just 24 receptions for 307 yards and four touchdowns.
Future of the Kansas City Offense
Worthy could become a great player, but it’s clear the rookie isn’t ready for a featured role in this offense. With fellow wide receiver Rashee Rice done for the season and Travis Kelce showing signs of age, the Chiefs had no choice but to trade for DeAndre Hopkins. The 32-year-old is no spring chicken himself, but it’s clear he still has some juice in his tank. During his four games with the reigning Super Bowl champions, the three-time All-Pro has recorded 17 receptions for 200 yards and two touchdowns on 21 targets.
Hopkins can handle the intermediate routes in this offense while Kelce works the middle of the field. While a great quarterback like Patrick Mahomes can work with these two, the Chiefs still need someone to stretch the field. With Worthy looking more like a gadget player at this stage in his career, Brown can be the missing piece in Kansas City’s puzzle. This team needs a vertical threat, and Brown is Kansas City’s best deep threat since Tyreek Hill. Assuming he can return to his old form following the injury, Marquise Brown could be one of the most important players for this team in the playoff stretch.
Main Photo: Joe Rondone – USA Today Sports
