As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for the start of their season, they face a significant setback: they will be without their newly acquired star wide receiver, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. Brown is set to miss 4-6 weeks following a sternoclavicular joint dislocation sustained during the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Brown’s injury occurred during the initial series of the preseason game, where he had joined the first-team offense. Demonstrating his capabilities, Brown made an 11-yard catch on the very first play. Despite the promising start, he was later listed as questionable due to what was initially described as a shoulder injury. Subsequent evaluations revealed the sternoclavicular joint dislocation, leading to his hospitalization for further assessment. After spending one night under medical care, Brown was discharged, having fortunately avoided the need for surgery.
The recovery timeline for Brown puts his availability for the Chiefs' regular season opener on September 5 in serious doubt. The timeline indicates a potential 4-6 week absence, prompting comparisons to a similar injury suffered by Tyreek Hill in 2019, which saw Hill miss four weeks.
Brown’s absence will certainly be felt by the Chiefs. Brown, who joined Kansas City as a free agent, brought with him an impressive resume. Originally a first-round draft choice by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019, Brown had a standout 1,000-yard campaign in 2021 with the Ravens. His 2022 season with the Arizona Cardinals was also notable, as he caught 51 balls for 574 yards and four touchdowns over 14 games.
Head coach Andy Reid and his coaching staff will be closely monitoring Brown’s recovery. "I think he'll miss some time. We'll just see where it's at," Reid commented, reflecting the uncertainty and cautious optimism surrounding Brown’s return.
The Chiefs’ medical and training staff will now focus on Brown’s conditioning and physical therapy, crucial elements in his rehabilitation process. This will be vital not only for his physical recovery but also in ensuring he is game-ready when he returns.
As Kansas City prepares for the upcoming season, the immediate challenge will be finding a way to fill the void left by Brown’s absence. His dynamic playmaking ability and experience were expected to be key components of the Chiefs' offensive strategy. In the interim, the team will need other wide receivers to step up and fill the gap.
The Chiefs' faithful will undoubtedly be keeping a watchful eye on Brown’s recovery, eager to see him back in action. His performance in the brief moments before his injury showed the potential impact he could have had this season. As he embarks on his road to recovery, the collective hope is that Brown can return to the field quickly and continue to contribute to the Chiefs' aspirations for another successful campaign.