Chiefs Invested Stock on Sunday in Potential Future Tackles

“Listen, find a positive in that,” Reid said after the game. “These young guys had an opportunity to play, get a chance to see what they can do. I thought they did a respectable job in there. So, that's good as we grow here as a team.”

Last four games have devastated offensive line

Three weeks ago on Nov. 23, the Chiefs had all five of their Week 1 offensive linemen. They lost Trey Smith (ankle) in that win over the Colts, then lost both Jawaan Taylor (triceps, knee) and Josh Simmons (wrist) on Thanksgiving in Dallas.

After entering last week’s loss with three backup players on their offensive line, they lost another after just one play. Wanya Morris, starting at left tackle in place of Simmons, sustained his own season-ending injury.

And on Sunday against the Chargers, Godrick came off the bench after just two Chiefs snaps when right tackle Jaylon Moore left with a knee injury.

Watch Creed Humphrey discuss below...

“I'm proud of the young guys and how they stepped up today,” center Creed Humphrey said after the loss. “They came in, played pretty well. So, I'm proud of them.

“It stinks, with the injuries and everything, but we have the right guys in the room, and I'm proud of how they stepped up and fought the entire game.”

Live reps added to experience on Sunday

And there’s nothing like live regular-season reps to improve an offensive tackle. Improvement is important because Patrick Mahomes took a season-high five sacks before sustaining a heartbreaking season-ending injury after the two-minute warning late in the game.

With Gardner Minshew as the Chiefs’ new starting quarterback, Pole could be in line to start the remaining three games. And, if Taylor remains out next week, Godrick could be a candidate to make his first NFL start next week at Tennessee.

Godrick has been in the Chiefs’ organization since signing after the 2023 draft. Kansas City elevated him from the practice squad on Saturday. Could he potentially get another shot?

“Absolutely,” Reid said of the former basketball player. “Chu’s come a long way, not playing a lot of football, and he's a very good athlete. Smart kid. And it's great that he had a chance to get in and compete.”

Taylor, incidentally, has another year remaining on his contract. Barring unforeseen circumstances, next year’s Kansas City tackles figure to be Simmons and Taylor. Pole and Godrick, though, got invaluable experience on Sunday.

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