Patrick Mahomes Gives Optimistic Update on Kadarius Toney’s Injury

Coach Andy Reid indicated Tuesday that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney might be ready for the team’s first regular-season game on September 7. According to Pro Football Talk, Toney sustained a partly torn meniscus during a special teams exercise on Sunday.

Despite losing time, Toney is projected to take over as the Chiefs’ top receiver. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes expressed optimism about Toney. “I think the best thing about it is he can get it cleaned up or whatever it is — he’s in all the meetings,” Mahomes said, via Pro Football Talk.

“He’s still watching film with me and we’re talking through everything that we’re doing. So as long as his head’s right there and he’s learning that way, I have no doubt his physical ability will be there.”

Toney, who is in his third NFL season, appeared in seven regular-season games for the Chiefs in 2022 after being acquired in an October trade. In three of those games, he started and had 14 catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns.

Toney only had one touchdown reception in the playoffs, but he had the longest punt return in a Super Bowl (65 yards) to help Kansas City win Super Bowl LVII. He’ll be a greater part of the Chiefs’ offense now that JuJu Smith-Schuster has signed a three-year contract with the New England Patriots.

“His talent — everybody knows how talented he is,” Mahomes said. “I’m just excited for him to learn the offense from the start. Last year, he picked it up as we were advancing it; now he gets to see the beginning and work his way through it, and I’m excited for him when he gets back, he’ll be ready to go.”

Toney was selected in the first round (21st overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft. In 2020, he was a second-team All-American after catching 70 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns.