The Kansas City Chiefs saw immediate returns on investing the sixth overall selection in April’s NFL Draft on former LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. On the third scrimmage play of Monday’s 31-10 victory over the Denver Broncos, Delane intercepted a pass off of Bronco’s quarterback Bo Nix.
The Chiefs then started their first drive at the Denver 46-yard line. Ten plays later, quarterback Patrick Mahomes punched in a 15-yard touchdown to give Kansas City the early lead.
Unfortunately, Delane’s night came to an end after delivering what may have ultimately been the game’s turning point during it’s third minute.
The rookie was not on the field for Kansas City’s next defensive series. After he went to the locker room, the Chiefs declared him questionable to return with a shoulder injury. The Chiefs downgraded Delane to out after halftime.
On the ensuing kickoff after Mahomes’ touchdown run, starting base linebacker Cooper McDonald also injured his knee while on coverage. Like Delane, McDonald was ruled out to start the second half.
After the game, head coach Andy Reid had no real update on either player.
“Delane hurt his shoulder,” Reid confirmed. “We’re just going to see where that goes from here. Cooper McDonald, he hurt his knee. So we’ve just got to see in the next day or so where that leaves us with both those guys.”
Delane suffered a shoulder injury in offseason workouts and was limited for much of the team’s training camp.
The Chiefs face a short week heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. We will monitor both players’ participation in this week’s practices starting Wednesday. If either player misses time, they could benefit from Kansas City having the earliest possible bye in Week 5.
