The Kansas City Chiefs have been on a roll this season, boasting an impressive 7-0 record despite a relentless wave of injuries. As they prepare to face the Buccaneers on Monday night, the team is dealing with an ever-growing list of sidelined players. Head coach Andy Reid, while optimistic, acknowledged the impact these injuries have had, saying, “We’ve been hit, no doubt, but we’ve got guys ready to step up.” Unfortunately, that next-man-up mentality has faced another blow.

Chiefs coach Reid has confirmed a big blow for Kansas City’s tight end lineup, as rookie TE Jared Wiley suffered a torn ACL, sidelining him for the season. In response, Reid announced that 25-year-old Peyton Hendershot will support Travis Kelce in Monday night’s showdown against the Buccaneers. With Kelce leading the charge, Hendershot’s call-up adds depth to a position now short-staffed.

On Saturday, Reid confirmed rookie tight end Jared Wiley tore his ACL in a “freak” non-contact incident during practice. “He’ll go through that whole process,” Reid noted, adding that the 25-year-old was a recent practice squad addition. Hendershot brings some experience and reps but faces a steep challenge stepping in on short notice.

Besides Wiley, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is out with a hamstring injury. Smith-Schuster hasn’t practiced for two straight weeks, and Reid shared that he’s “not expecting him back anytime soon.” The team’s already thin offensive roster continues to feel the pinch.

On defense, defensive end Mike Danna (pectoral) and cornerback Nazeeh Johnson (concussion) are tentative, with Reid noting that their game-day status depends on Saturday’s final assessments. So, how will the Chiefs perform in the game? Will they be able to continue their streak? It appears that Travis Kelce will have big responsibilities.

Chiefs vs. Buccaneers: Can Kelce and Mahomes expose Tampa Bay’s defensive gaps in Week 9?

The Kansas City Chiefs are returning to Arrowhead for the first time in almost a month, bringing their undefeated record and superstar tight end Travis Kelce, who seems to be back to his best form. As Chiefs safety Justin Reid put it, Kelce has a unique ability to “change his route on the fly… just gets open,” creating a connection with Patrick Mahomes that is nearly impossible to guard. This dynamic duo has put up some serious numbers—7,638 yards and 54 touchdowns in 100 games—making it one of the most electric QB-TE pairings since Tom Brady and Gronk.

On the flip side, the Buccaneers‘ defense has shown glaring weaknesses, particularly in defending tight ends, allowing the third-most receiving yards to the position this season. Recent matchups against the Falcons, Ravens, and Saints exposed gaps in Tampa Bay’s middle, and Kelce’s 103.8 yards per game against the Bucs doesn’t make their job any easier. Sitting at 4-4, the Bucs are hanging onto their NFC South hopes but they can’t afford another loss.

Offensively, the Bucs have relied on Baker Mayfield’s arm, but injuries to top receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans might limit their ability to keep up with Kansas City’s firepower. While the Bucs’ run game remains efficient, this game could come down to whether Mayfield can find consistency under heavy pressure from Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. Look for the Chiefs to take advantage of the Bucs’ defensive struggles and march closer to 8-0 in this prime-time showdown. Is it possible?