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The Kansas City Chiefs are just the third franchise in NFL history to make four Super Bowls in a five-year span.
A victory in Super Bowl 58 against the San Francisco 49ers would be the third in those five years and solidify Kansas City as one of the game’s all-time great dynasties.
But if the Chiefs are going to lift the Lombardi Trophy yet again, they’ll need to do so without one of their top players.
Andy Reid confirmed that Joe Thuney is a long-shot to play. A chance. But not a great one. https://t.co/OYqjpAAfIC
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 6, 2024
Kansas City coach Andy Reid told media members on Tuesday that All-Pro guard Joe Thuney is a “long-shot” to play against the 49ers. Thuney missed the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens due to a pec injury. That same injury has continued to hold the two-time Pro Bowler out of practice in the weeks since.
Joe Thuney Injury Leaves Chiefs Shorthanded In Super Bowl
The North Carolina State product joined the Chiefs in 2021 after five prior seasons with the New England Patriots, with whom he won a Super Bowl in 2017. Alongside center Creed Humphrey and fellow guard Trey Smith, Thuney helps form perhaps the best interior offensive line in the NFL.
Backup Nick Allegretti replaced Thuney against the Bills and started in place of him against the Ravens.
That puts Kansas City in a tough stop against a San Francisco defensive line that boasts a pair of dynamic defensive tackles in Arik Armstead and Kevin Givens.
It also allows San Francisco to weaponize star inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner. The two are some of of best linebackers and all of football and also serve as dynamic blitzers.
Thankfully for Kansas City, superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the best in the league against the blitz. In fact, Mahomes is one of the best quarterbacks all-time when facing pressure.
But there’s no doubt that he, Reid, and the rest of the Chiefs would much prefer to have a healthy Thuney in the lineup.