Chiefs’ Defensive Back Depth Put to the Test: Reid Confident in Team’s Ability to…
The Kansas City Chiefs’ secondary has been stricken with injuries this season.
The biggest being cornerback Jaylen Watson, who has been out of action since Week 6 with an ankle injury and likely will not return this year. Now, cornerback/safety hybrid Chamarri Conner is suffering from a concussion and will not play in Saturday’s game against the Houston Texans.
Nazeeh Johnson and Joshua Williams have rotated at No. 2 cornerback since Watson went down, both producing mixed results. Conner has struggled as of late, and safety Chris Roland -Wallace is learning on the job as a rookie. While speaking to the media on Thursday, veteran safety Justin Reid said that all of the Chiefs defensive backs have faith in one another to perform well.
“The the way it’s been all year has been the next guy up,” Reid said about the mentality of the Chiefs’ secondary. “We’ve had a constant rotation, and we have confidence in whoever is on the field. Chris Roland Wallace has been making plays. Chamarri, if he is able to make it, he’ll be in there, and he’ll be making some plays for us. Josh Williams comes in and makes plays. Nazeeh Johnson comes in and makes plays. So, it doesn’t matter. [Safeties] Jaden Hicks, Bryan Cook, it doesn’t matter who’s on the field, when you’re on the field, you’re a starter. We have faith in all those guys to come in and perform. And, you know, we have the record we have, because guys have been able to come in and make plays when we need them to.”
The Chiefs’ secondary has built some momentum as of late, allowing just 213 passing yards and recording 17 passes defensed, as well as four interceptions over it’s last three games. That is encouraging production as we near the postseason.
It is reminiscent of the 2022 season when young defensive backs such as Watson, Cook, Williams and Trent McDuffie hit their stride down the stretch and played well in the playoffs. The Chiefs will be looking to replicate that as they attempt to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
