A collective gasp echoed through Arrowhead Stadium as Wanya Morris crumpled to the turf. The Chiefs‘ left tackle “screamed out in pain” during a routine blocking play, adding another worry to a season where Kansas City’s quest for a historic three-peat already faces mounting challenges.

Morris went down with a non-contact knee injury while engaged with a defender. Pete Sweeney reported the alarming scene on X: “Wanya Morris is down, and he appears to be in great pain.” The young tackle eventually walked off “very gingerly” with the athletic training staff, pushing rookie Kingsley Suamataia into emergency duty.

The moment reopened a wound that’s bothered Kansas City all season. Morris won the starting job after the Chiefs initially backed Suamataia, their second-round pick from Brigham Young University. The rookie started the first two games before coaches benched him, handing the keys to Morris – a decision that held firm until tonight’s scary moment.

But football gods love plot twists. Morris shocked everyone by returning to the game after just a few sideline minutes. The Chiefs’ medical staff worked on his knee, and somehow, the devastating scene transformed into a brief scare. For head coach Andy Reid, who’s already battling whispers about Travis Kelce‘s slow start and Patrick Mahomes‘ worst statistical season opening, this near-disaster offered a rare moment of relief.

The drama highlighted Kansas City’s season-long wrestling match with adversity. Despite their perfect record, Reid’s been forced to defend his team against mounting criticism. “I know people are saying that he’s old or that he has distractions, but defenses don’t think that,” Reid recently said about Kelce’s struggles. The Chiefs will aim to maintain their unbeaten AFC status with Morris back protecting Mahomes’ blindside. Yet this close call raises questions about their offensive line depth. Speaking of depth…

Chiefs’ injury list grows as Monday Night Football heats up

The Morris situation adds another wrinkle to Kansas City’s growing injury concerns. The team’s Week 5 report lists six players, including running backs Kareem Hunt (shoulder) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness). Nick Bolton, Mike Danna, and Derrick Nnadi round out a concerning medical chart for the defending champions.

Against New Orleans, those depth issues showed early. The Chiefs’ first-quarter offense leaned heavily on tight ends—Mahomes didn’t target a single wide receiver. Hunt’s carries and Mahomes’ timely scrambles barely maintained their 7-0 lead, hinting at the offensive struggles that have marked their season despite four straight wins.

The Saints didn’t wait long to test Kansas City’s patched-up protection. Derek Carr found Rashid Shaheed for a 43-yard touchdown strike in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 10-7.

As the lone undefeated AFC team riding a 10-game winning streak dating back to last season, Kansas City can’t afford weak links. While all their 2024 victories have come by one possession, requiring either late-game heroics or defensive stands, Morris’s quick return offers hope. Still, this scare proves even the mightiest champions walk a razor’s edge between triumph and disaster.