Kansas City Chiefs' Marquise "Hollywood" Brown Faces 4-6 Weeks Out Due to Injury
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to start their season without one of their latest offensive acquisitions, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. The star wide receiver is expected to miss 4-6 weeks following a sternoclavicular joint dislocation, an injury that he sustained during the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Marquise Brown, who joined Kansas City as a free agent, was part of the first-team offense for the initial series of the preseason game. He made an immediate impact with an 11-yard catch on the very first play. However, his promising start turned concerning when he was seen in noticeable discomfort after the catch. The team initially listed him as questionable due to a shoulder injury, later revealing the more severe sternoclavicular joint dislocation—where the clavicle meets the sternum.
Brown was subsequently hospitalized for further evaluation. Spending one night under medical care, he was later discharged and has successfully avoided surgery, per Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. Brown’s recovery timeline, however, puts his availability for the regular season opener on September 5 in doubt.
"I think he'll miss some time. We'll just see where it's at," said Reid. "I mean, I said that they're kind of going through it right now and we'll know more later on."
This kind of injury is not unfamiliar to the Chiefs. In 2019, star receiver Tyreek Hill suffered a similar sternoclavicular injury and missed four weeks. The precedent suggests that Brown might be able to return in due course, but the timing will be quite tight with the fast-approaching season opener.
The impact of Brown’s injury is significant for Kansas City, which is looking to solidify its receiving corps around quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. Brown, a first-round draft choice by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019 out of Oklahoma, injected excitement with his initial performances. In 2021, he delivered a 1,000-yard campaign with the Ravens before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2022, where he caught 51 balls for 574 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games.
The Chiefs' faithful were optimistic about Brown bringing his dynamic playmaking abilities to the team. With Mahomes leading the offense, Brown’s role was expected to be significant. Despite the setback, the Chiefs will have to make strategic adjustments to compensate for his absence in the early weeks of the season.
Andy Reid and his coaching staff will be keenly monitoring Brown’s recovery. With no surgery required, there’s hope that he can return sooner rather than later. Conditioning and physical therapy will be crucial in his rehabilitation process. The challenge will be maintaining game-ready fitness and developing chemistry with Mahomes in time for his return.
The Chiefs' preparation for the season continues with a focus on adapting the offense. Other receivers will have to step up in Brown's absence, and the team’s depth chart will be tested. As the preseason unfolds, Chiefs fans will be eagerly watching updates on Brown’s condition, hoping for a swift and complete recovery.
While the preseason injury casts a shadow, Kansas City’s aspirations for the season remain high. Brown’s eventual return could provide a mid-season boost, helping the Chiefs solidify their offense for a playoff push. But for now, patience and optimism will be the bywords as the team navigates the early challenges posed by his absence.