The Chiefs’ receiving corps took a hit in their preseason debut when Marquise Brown suffered an SC joint injury. The worst-case scenario has been avoided, though, and as such Brown could still make his Kansas City debut in the season opener. 
Brown was hospitalized as a result of the injury, but head coach Andy Reid said on Monday (via Nate Taylor of The Athletic) surgery was not required in this instance. That is a positive development, and Reid added he has not yet ruled Brown out for Week 1. Kansas City’s first game will come on Thursday night to kick off the 2024 campaign.
“Yeah, we’ll see,” Reid said during his press conference (video link). “We’ll see how that goes. But without him in there and his experience and that in the league… we’ve also got some other guys who can step in and play. We’ll be OK there, but we’re pulling for him to get back, obviously.”
Adding at the receiver spot was a key priority for the Chiefs this offseason. Brown signed a one-year deal to operate as a deep threat coming off his three years in Baltimore and two in Arizona. The expiration of his rookie contract did not yield a long-term commitment for the former first-rounder, with consistency being an issue so far in his career. Brown could parlay a productive season in Kansas City into a strong market in 2025, though.
The 27-year-old will be joined by returnees Rashee Rice, Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman and Justin Watson in the WR room. The Chiefs added further to that group on Day 1 of the draft by selecting Xavier Worthy. The latter broke the all-time 40-yard dash record at the Combine and expectations are high for him to provide Kansas City with a vertical threat early and often in his career.
Brown – who has one 1,000-yard campaign on his resume and has averaged 11.6 yards per catch over his career – will look to give his new team a similar option when healthy. Any long-term absence should not be expected in any case, but Reid’s comments point to Week 1 still being a possibility for Brown.