Chiefs’ Andy Reid looks to continue spreading the ball as WR Rashee Rice leaves the field

Rice was the engine of the Chiefs’ offense earlier this season. His ability to win off the line and absorb YAC keeps the Chiefs’ undefeated chains moving. While KC has not confirmed the extent of his knee injury, the second-year winger is sidelined indefinitely.

With Rice going down, Marquise Brown likely to be sidelined until the postseason at the earliest, and Isiah Pacheco batting on injured reserve, the Chiefs’ offensive plans hatched for this offseason have been shelved.

Rice’s injury makes Worthy and Justin Watson the main targets for the wingers. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore could see their roles expand.

Smith-Schuster, who returned to KC this offseason, has just two catches for 17 yards and a touchdown in four games, but could be the man to replace Rice.

“He has played a lot so far and I think he is in good shape. I don’t think it’s a problem,” Reid said. “Pat (Mahomes) has a lot of confidence in him. He’s still a good player.”

The Chiefs could also elevate one or two players from the practice squad to fill the void. Justyn Ross, Nikko Remigio and Montrell Washington are all options.

Questions in the receiver’s room are sure to lead to trade speculation – the deadline is November 5. Reid did not reject the idea of ​​KC bringing in another receiver.

“It takes some time to get involved and sort out the terminology,” Reid said. “But it’s a lot easier now than during training camp when they have to learn billions of plays. Here they simply have a week of matches (plays) to learn.

“But getting along with the quarterback, timing and all that, that’s usually a bigger problem.”

Unless they trade for a big winger – like DeAndre Hopkins or Amari Cooper – the Chiefs will once again rely on the magic of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce as they try to three-peat.