The Kansas City Chiefs have suffered numerous injuries on offense this season. The first occurred on the opening drive of the preseason, with wide receiver Hollywood Brown going down.
Brown’s first season in Kansas City looked like a lost one, but now it appears he may be able to salvage the stretch run after all. What’s the latest on when Brown could make his Chiefs’ regular season debut?
What Is Hollywood Brown’s Injury?
The Chiefs lost Brown at the very beginning of their first preseason game. He caught his first and only target, fell on his shoulder, and did not return.
After the game, it was reported that Brown suffered a sternoclavicular joint injury similar to the one Tyreek Hill sustained in 2019. That injury only cost Hill four games. However, SC joint injuries are rare and can be very dangerous if not handled properly. Unfortunately for Brown, his injury required surgery to repair, resulting in a far lengthier absence.
Will Brown Play in Week 15?
Brown has been on injured reserve since September, and initial reports suggested that he was supposed to be out until January. While that would have put him in a position to return during the playoffs, it would have been extremely difficult to integrate a brand-new receiver in a win-or-go-home environment.
However, a report from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport before Week 13 said that Brown was planning on meeting with his surgeon before Week 15. In doing so, Rapoport noted the wide receiver was hoping to get cleared to play by Week 16 or 17.
SEE MORE: NFL Injury Report
That visit went as expected, with Brown formally getting cleared to practice before Week 15. The Chiefs opened Brown’s practice window, which enabled him to be a limited participant in the final practice of the week on Friday.
However, Kansas City ruled him out for Sunday’s contest versus the Cleveland Browns. Unsurprisingly, the Chiefs will likely use most or all of his 21-day practice window to ramp up after such a lengthy absence. As such, Brown’s 2024 regular season debut will likely come in Week 16 vs. the Houston Texans or Week 17 at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Fantasy Impact of Brown’s Week 15 Status
With Brown out, it’s status quo for the Chiefs. Kansas City’s passing game largely revolves around Travis Kelce, DeAndre Hopkins, and Xavier Worthy. Since Hopkins’ team debut in Week 8, that trio has accounted for 58% of the team’s targets, 58% of its receiving yards, and 56% of its receptions.
Whenever Brown does debut, it will likely be in a limited role given the length of his absence and his lack of history with Mahomes. As an example, while Hopkins has been effective as a midseason acquisition, he’s played only 50.4% of the snaps as the Chiefs have limited his participation to a more manageable package of plays.
Brown can expect an even smaller role as a late-season addition. He’ll likely have a package of plays designed to simplify his assignments as a primary read, not unlike what Worthy has seen throughout the season.
Come postseason time, the veterans Kelce and Hopkins are likely to see their volume ramped up as the Chiefs lean on their most reliable targets. It wouldn’t be surprising for Brown to deliver a moment or two given his talent, which could be all the Chiefs need.
