Adam TeicherESPN Staff Writer4 Minute Reading
Kadarius Toney dropped the crucial ball in the Chiefs’ fourth loss
The ball slipped out of Kadarius Toney’s hands as Kansas City lost a crucial possession late.
“It has an impact on the game,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said of Kelce’s absence. “But other guys have to improve and they have to improve in moments. Sure, there are times [after Kelce returns] that he’s doubled and so we’re just going to have to rely on other guys who are young and talented to step up and make plays, and I believe they can.
That didn’t happen against the Lions. The Chiefs dropped several passes, none more damaging than a seemingly easy catch that Kadarius Toney deflected to Lions safety Brian Branch, whose interception and return for a touchdown in the third quarter is the defining game of the game.
The Chiefs hope that Toney will be their No. 1 wide receiver. But he missed all of training camp after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus and recently returned to practice.
He dropped two more passes and finished with a one-yard catch.
“I have confidence [Toney]” Mahomes said. “He missed a lot in training camp, and obviously he wants to play and fight [during] work hard for him to play and things don’t always go your way.
“Obviously he wants to get some of those in the game, but I trust that he’s the guy I go to in key moments, and he can get and we win some games like that. He did last year. So we’ll continue to work him, get him more and more reps, and I’m sure those leaks will go away.
Mahomes was 10-of-22 (46%) throwing to wide receivers, his worst completion percentage among wideouts in 35 career games in which he attempted at least 20 passes. The Chiefs’ leading receiver is running back Isiah Pacheco, who has four catches.
The Chiefs are hopeful that Kelce, who hyperextended his knee in practice two days before the game, will be able to play. But coach Andy Reid explained that the decision to sit Kelce was not difficult.
“It doesn’t feel good, so I’m not going to put him out there with that,” Reid said. “And he was honest with me and we talked, so there was a lack of time there.”
A Week 2 game against the Jaguars in Jacksonville is next for the Chiefs. They will work to get Kelce ready for that game. Judging from the way they played against the Lions, they need him.
“I don’t put anything on Trav,” Mahomes said. “He’s trying to play right now. He just can’t. I don’t know if it’s his decision. It’s kind of a guy that’s beyond him. He knows it’s going to be a long time.
“He’s going to try. He’s going to do everything he can to get there, and hopefully he’ll clear all the doctors’ tests and then get out there on the football field.”