The Kansas City Chiefs are bracing themselves for the start of the season without their newly acquired star wide receiver, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. Brown is facing a recovery period of 4-6 weeks following a sternoclavicular joint dislocation, an injury he sustained during the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Brown, who signed with Kansas City as a free agent, made an immediate impact in the game. He was part of the first-team offense and made an 11-yard catch on the very first play. However, his debut was cut short when he suffered the injury that initially had him listed as questionable due to a shoulder complaint. This was later diagnosed more specifically as a sternoclavicular joint dislocation, a painful injury affecting the area where the collarbone meets the sternum.
The wide receiver was hospitalized for further evaluation following the injury and spent one night under medical care before being discharged. Fortunately, he has managed to avoid surgery, which offers some hope for a quicker return to the field. However, with the regular season opener on September 5 looming, his availability remains doubtful.
Head Coach Andy Reid expressed cautious optimism but acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Brown’s recovery. "I think he'll miss some time. We'll just see where it's at," Reid commented. The coaching staff will be closely monitoring Brown's rehabilitation, which will heavily rely on conditioning and physical therapy.
This is not uncharted territory for the Chiefs. In 2019, Tyreek Hill suffered a similar sternoclavicular injury and was sidelined for four weeks. The Chiefs are hoping for a similar recovery timeline for Brown, who joined the team after being a first-round draft choice by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. Brown had a standout season in 2021 with the Ravens, achieving a 1,000-yard campaign. Last year, he recorded 51 receptions for 574 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games with the Arizona Cardinals before transitioning to Kansas City.
As the Chiefs navigate the preseason without one of their key offensive assets, all eyes will be on Brown's progress. The team’s depth at the wide receiver position will be tested early, and players will need to step up to fill the void left by Brown’s absence. The Chiefs’ medical team and coaching staff are committed to ensuring Brown's full recovery, taking a cautious approach to avoid any setbacks.
The loss of Brown for the opening weeks of the season is a significant blow, but the Chiefs are no strangers to overcoming adversity. With the start of the regular season just around the corner, the team’s resilience and depth will be pivotal as they aim to start their campaign strongly, even without one of their marquee signings on the field.