This Kansas City Chiefs’ O-lineman is pushing through injury. He’s not the only one
Trey Smith is not making excuses. He wants to make that clear.
Still, the Kansas City Chiefs right guard has been battling through an ankle injury he first suffered Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.
“Just a lot of times in football, you’re gonna play a little beat up. For me, it’s just one of those things: just push through injuries a little bit, obviously to certain extents,” Smith said Wednesday. “But it’s just something that as a football player is sort of what’s expected, especially the linemen. Just going through the routine.”
Smith walked with a slight limp while making his way to his locker Wednesday afternoon. He also said he’s been getting extra treatment for the ankle each week.
“It’s something that I’m very cognizant about, something that I do a lot of prep work for,” Smith said. “Just taking care of your body. This is ultimately becoming a pro.”
Put together all the clues, and it seems likely that Smith’s uncharacteristic recent struggles are partially related to his health.
Smith’s Pro Football Focus game grades of 52.4 (vs. Los Angeles Chargers) and 53.0 (vs. Indianapolis Colts) the last two weeks both rank as bottom-five marks in his 24 contests as a pro. His run-blocking in those two games suffered most according to PFF, where his two grades (48.5, 49.2) were also bottom-four for his career.
Smith isn’t the only Chiefs offensive lineman playing through an ailment. Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was in against Indianapolis after being listed on last week’s injury report with a knee issue. Coach Andy Reid said Wednesday he believed Brown’s knee was “bugging him a little bit” against the Colts.
These realities could partly explain the Chiefs’ lack of recent run success. KC had 18 carries for 93 rushing yards in a win over the Chargers — with 52 of those yards coming in a fourth-quarter run by Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The Chiefs followed that up with 23 rushes for 58 yards in a loss to the Colts, as 26 of those yards were the result of quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles.
The O-line’s task isn’t likely to get easier this week. Tampa Bay boasts one of the NFL’s top defenses, ranking first in Football Outsiders’ defensive measure and eighth in Pro Football Focus “run defense” grading.
“It’s gonna be a great challenge up front,” Smith said, “something we’re going to be ready for.”
For Smith, that preparation will involve strengthening an ankle he seemed to first injure on the Chiefs’ second drive of the season at Arizona. He was blocking on a run play when a pile of defenders fell on his legs; that led to him getting up gingerly before hobbling back to the huddle.
Smith played that series and next before coming out to get his ankle taped. He then played every offensive snap against both Los Angeles and Indianapolis.
The second-year pro Smith dismissed the notion Wednesday that the ankle was affecting his overall play, saying he felt “fully healthy” in games and was “feeling good, man, ready to go.”
“I’m just focused on what coaching points are,” Smith said. “But I try not to think about anything other than just getting my block done and dominating the guy in front of me.”
This story was originally published September 29, 2022 at 8:00 AM with the headline "This Kansas City Chiefs’ O-lineman is pushing through injury. He’s not the only one."
