Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid delivered mixed injury news Tuesday as the team prepares for its season opener, saying starting safety Chamarri Conner is unlikely to take the field against the Denver Broncos.
Reid described Conner’s availability as a long shot for Monday night’s game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
“Chamarri would be a stretch,” Reid said. “The other guy, Gilman, was out there practicing and doing his thing. He’ll be ready to go I think.”
Conner hurt his knee during training camp and sat out every preseason game. The fourth-year defensive back had been expected to play full-time safety after spending most of his first three seasons as a nickelback.
That shift was viewed around the building as a better fit for his skills. Kansas City has several options who can fill the slot, including Jadon Canady, Christian Roland-Wallace and L’Jarius Sneed.
Fellow starting safety Alohi Gilman practiced and appears on track to play. That leaves Jaden Hicks as the likely next man up if Conner cannot go.
Hicks has four career starts in two NFL seasons. As a rookie in 2024 he recorded three interceptions and five passes defensed. Last season he set a career high with 42 tackles.
Hicks also stood out in the preseason, finishing with 10 tackles and a sack while playing heavy snaps on defense and special teams. He earned the highest defensive grade on the team during the exhibition schedule.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has often used three-safety looks. Hicks can line up as a box safety, a deep safety or even in the nickel, giving the staff flexibility if Conner is sidelined.
Reid’s update on Conner came after more encouraging news at quarterback. The coach indicated Patrick Mahomes is expected to start after missing the end of last season with a knee injury.
Reid also said left tackle Josh Simmons is probably out as he continues to recover from a back injury that ended his training camp. The second-year lineman has not practiced since mid-August.
Conner started all 17 games last season and finished with 117 tackles, two sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles. He has 230 career tackles, four interceptions and three sacks in three seasons with Kansas City.
The Chiefs open the 2026 season against their AFC West rival on Monday Night Football. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. local time.
Kansas City will need to replace production in the secondary if Conner cannot play. Hicks and Gilman give the defense experience, but Conner’s physical style and familiarity with Spagnuolo’s scheme would be missed in Week 1.
Reid did not put a timetable on Conner’s return beyond calling him a stretch for Monday. The team will continue to monitor his knee as the week of practice continues.
The Broncos visit Arrowhead coming off their own injury concerns at quarterback, setting up an opener that already carries extra weight for both clubs.
