Kansas City Chiefs Face Season Start Without Marquise "Hollywood" Brown
The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for the season opener without the services of star wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, who is expected to miss 4-6 weeks due to a sternoclavicular joint dislocation. Brown, who joined the Chiefs as a free agent, sustained the injury during the team's preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The injury occurred during the first-team offense's initial series of the game, with Brown making an 11-yard catch on the very first play. Initially listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, further medical evaluation revealed a more severe sternoclavicular joint dislocation. Brown was subsequently hospitalized for further examination and spent one night under medical care before being discharged. Importantly, he has managed to avoid surgery, which often accompanies such injuries.
Despite this piece of good news, Brown's availability for the Chiefs' regular-season opener on September 5 remains highly doubtful. "I think he'll miss some time. We'll just see where it's at," said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Brown's recovery timeline.
Brown's absence comes as a significant blow to the Chiefs' offense. Since being drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019, Brown has proven to be a reliable target. He had a standout 1,000-yard campaign with the Ravens in 2021 and maintained solid performance stats even after being traded to the Arizona Cardinals for the 2022 season, where he caught 51 balls for 574 yards and scored four touchdowns in 14 games.
The Chiefs' coaching staff, including Andy Reid, will be closely monitoring Brown's recovery. They are keenly aware of the crucial role conditioning and physical therapy will play in his rehabilitation process. In 2019, Tyreek Hill suffered a similar sternoclavicular injury and missed four weeks, which provides a hopeful precedent for Brown’s recovery timetable.
During Brown’s rehabilitation, the Chiefs will have to lean more heavily on their remaining wide receivers. The team will be looking for others to step up and fill the void, ensuring that the offensive unit can perform efficiently despite the absence of one of its key players.
While the timeline for Brown’s return remains fluid, the primary focus will be on ensuring his full recovery, providing the team and its fans with the assurance that he will return to peak performance later in the season. As the Chiefs prepare for their regular season without one of their star additions, the situation underscores the unpredictable nature of the sport and the resilience required to adapt to such challenges.