The Kansas City Chiefs' most important game of 2024 is closing in, with Andy Reid's squad gearing up for Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers.
There are a few injury situations to sort out, with one notable ailment along the offensive line. Left guard Joe Thuney's pectoral injury suffered in the Divisional Round against the Buffalo Bills looms large over Kansas City several weeks later.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Reid said his left guard would be a "long shot" to play on Sunday. On Wednesday afternoon, James Palmer of NFL Network reported that "those around Thuney still believe there is a shot" for him to play through something that's been described as more of a strength issue than a pain tolerance one. With Thuney missing the first practice of the week, however, it remains difficult to bank on him being active.
That means for the second playoff game in a row, Nick Allegretti appears to be in line for a start. According to the fifth-year man, he's preparing like that's the case and he and Thuney are working together to get ready for the Super Bowl.
"I'm treating it like I'm playing, because that's how I have to mentally," Allegretti said to Aaron Ladd of KSHB 41. "He's also treating it that way so when a left guard coaching point comes up, we'll kind of look at each other and try to interpret it for each other. What that step means or what the angle means that we have to take. Having a guy like that who's been probably the best guard in this league for the last four or five yards — has not gotten his credit he deserves. Having a guy like that in your ear and helping you along the way... seeing him prepare, but also knowing the coaching points he's taking, I can apply to myself. He's been incredible."
The Chiefs are fortunate that Allegretti, a former seventh-round pick, has known nothing but their system in his NFL career. He has plenty of experience along the offensive line and has the full support of the coaching staff, putting the team in a unique position. The decline from an All-Pro left guard to a solid one is significant, although it didn't appear to be an issue in the AFC Championship Game.
Versus the Baltimore Ravens late last month, Allegretti played all 81 offensive snaps and was credited with four pressures by Pro Football Focus. His pass protection was respectable, even if it trailed Thuney's typical output. In the run game, Allegretti is a tone-setter who is a hand-in-glove fit when the Chiefs go to gap-style runs. With halfback Isiah Pacheco recording 24 carries in two of his last three postseason contests, Kansas City very well could lean on him (and the offensive line, by default) in the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs' front five faces a tall task on Sunday, as San Francisco boasts a defensive line with Chase Young, Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave terrorizing opposing linemen. Coming off a nice performance against a tough Ravens team, Allegretti will have his hands full once again. If Thuney is somehow able to get cleared in time to play, it'll undoubtedly be a boost at a much-needed time. Assuming he won't, though, the Chiefs still seem to be in a decent spot. A lot of that is thanks to Allegretti being a premier backup, but Thuney is one heck of a veteran presence to help him along the way.
More must-reads: