Just as one wideout is set to join the Chiefs, another is facing a notable absence. Skyy Moore has been placed on injured reserve, per a team announcement. 
Moore is dealing with a core muscle injury, and today’s move guarantees at least a four-game absence. Of course, that will add further to the injury issues which Kansas City has dealt with in 2024, with Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice done for the year. News of Moore’s upcoming absence comes at the same time the DeAndre Hopkins acquisition has become official.
Moore has appeared in all six of the Chiefs’ games so far this year, but he has been an afterthought on offense. The former second-rounder has been held without a catch in 2024, receiving only three targets. As a result, his absence will not represent as much of a blow to the team’s passing attack as that of Rice or Brown. Still, today’s news means Kansas City will be even thinner at the WR spot for a stretch.
A knee injury limited Moore to 14 games last season, and even though he was activated in time for the Super Bowl he did not take part in that contest. The 24-year-old did not live up to expectations in 2023, one in which he posted a 21-244-1 statline. That production roughly matched the output from his rookie campaign, even though last year Moore logged a much larger workload. Despite the banged-up nature of Kansas City’s receiver room in 2024, he has only handled a 20% offensive snap share.
Hopkins will no doubt take on a full-time starting role upon arrival with the defending champions. He will be joined by JuJu Smith-Schuster (who will miss Week 8 due to a hamstring injury) in time as he acclimates to his latest team. Kansas City also has first-round rookie Xavier Worthy, along with veterans Mecole Hardman and Justin Watson at the WR spot. Moore will look to re-join that group in time for the end of the campaign.
Kansas City has seven IR activations remaining for the year, one of which will be needed to bring starting running back Isiah Pacheco back into the fold. Moore remains attached to his rookie contract through 2025.