KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 24: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs for a 12-yard gain in preseason action against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
The Chiefs haven’t struggled to score points this season, but Patrick Mahomes’ offense is about to get even more dangerous with the impending returns of Tyreek Hill and Damien Williams.
Kansas City currently sits atop the AFC West as a result of their prolific offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The scary thing for teams preparing to play the Chiefs in the next few weeks is that Mahomes is going to have even more weapons at his disposal very soon.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill and running back Damien Williams returned to practice on Wednesday. Hill hasn’t played for the Chiefs since injuring his clavicle in Week 1. Williams has been out for two games with an injured knee. Head coach Andy Reid isn’t revealing if either will play against the Texans, but having them back on the practice field is good news.
In fairness, it’s not like the Chiefs have struggled to move the ball without Hill and Williams. The offensive ranks first in the NFL according to Football Outsiders’ DVOA. That’s what happens when you put up 40, 28, 33 and 34 points to open the season.
That doesn’t mean Mahomes hasn’t missed having two starters. Hill gives the team a speedy home run threat that can’t be replicated by anyone on the roster. The team hopes Mecole Hardman can develop into that kind of player in time, but he’s not there in his rookie season. Hill’s ability to turn short passes into long touchdowns is a staple of the Chiefs’ offense.
Williams’ return to the backfield should reduce the workload for LeSean McCoy. The veteran back leads the team with 40 rushes and has averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry. The team wants to carefully manage McCoy’s workload to make sure he can be a factor down the stretch. Getting Williams back soon should allow team to split carries among their backs.
It’s unclear when Hill and Williams will return to action, but it’s safe to assume it should happen very soon. That’s great news for the Chiefs and bad news for the rest of the AFC.