Chiefs focused on stopping Colts RB Jonathan Taylor | KCSN Daily 9.22
Plus the latest Chiefs injury report, podcasts, transactions and more news.
Welcome back to the latest issue of KCSN Daily, where we deliver you the best Kansas City Chiefs content.
As the Chiefs’ defense gets prepared to face the Indianapolis Colts in their home opener in Week 3, there is one player at the forefront of their game-planning. Colts RB Jonathan Taylor took home the NFL’s rushing title in 2021 with 332 carries for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns.
“He’s special,” Chiefs LB Nick Bolton said of Taylor. “(He’s) an elite running back in this league. When the ball is in his hands, he can get north and south quick, and in a hurry, and break tackles in the second and third levels. So, we’ve got to make sure that we set a front with our seven guys and attack the hip and make sure we make tackles in space. That’s going to be the name of this game.”
Taylor already has one 100-yard rushing game under his belt this season, so the Chiefs will have to be extra vigilant in Week 3. Stopping plays from getting to the third level of the defense will be key for Kansas City.
“NFL Next Gen Stats always put out these clips,” Steve Spagnuolo said on Thursday. “Well, there are three of them where he’s busting out through the line and over on the bottom right you see this clock with his miles per hour, right? By the time (Jonathan Taylor) gets to the second level — the linebackers — he’s at 22 miles per hour. That sticks out. If you let him get through the second level, he’s a tough tackle for the guys on the back end.”
Stopping Taylor at the second level will be made even more difficult due to the fact that the Chiefs will be without Willie Gay Jr. in Week 3.
KCSN Update:
KCSN’s Tucker Franklin sits down with former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Jeff Allen to talk about the AFC West so far this season, the Chiefs' competition in the conference, and to look ahead to the Indianapolis Colts matchup this weekend.
The Breakdown:
Former Chiefs QB Matt Cassel and Good Morning Football's Matt Hamilton break down three plays from the Chiefs’ win against the Chargers last Thursday and talk about what makes Patrick Mahomes so special. Later, the guys talk about the Indianapolis Colts defense and what challenges it can bring.
Thursday Injury report:
Chiefs:
DNP: Harrison Butker (Ankle) and Mike Danna (Calf).
LP: WR Mecole Hardman (Heel).
FP: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Hip), LT Orlando Brown Jr. (Knee), RG Trey Smith (Ankle), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Shoulder) and WR Justin Watson (Chest).
Colts:
DNP: DE Yannick Ngakoue (Back).
LP: WR Michael Pittman Jr. (Quad) and OT Bernhard Raimann (Ankle).
FP: WR Alec Pierce (Concussion), LB Shaq Leonard (Back), DT Grover Stewart (Shoulder), S Julian Blackmon (Shoulder), DT DeForest Buckner (Hip) and LB Zaire Franklin (Shoulder).
Key:
DNP (Did Not Participate), LP (Limited Participant), FP (Full Participant), NIR (Not Injury Related).
Outside The Trenches:
Listen to KCSN’s BJ Kissel, Nick Leckey, and Tucker Franklin bring their favorite topics of the week to the table on this week's LIVE episode of Outside the Trenches.
Quick hits:
From the Wire: The Chiefs poached a Rams player on Wednesday. On Thursday, Los Angeles returned the favor. They’ll be without TE Brycen Hopkins for three games due to suspension. As a result, they’re signing TE Kendall Blanton from the Kansas City practice squad. Blanton played with the Rams for the first three seasons of his career.
From 65 Toss Power Trap productions: The fourth episode of the third season of “The Franchise” debuts tonight. This episode covers the first two weeks of the 2022 NFL season.
From Week 2: Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster was mic’d up during the Week 2 game against the Chargers.
Important dates ahead:
Sunday, Sept. 25 at Noon CT - Week 3: Chiefs vs. Colts - Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis, Indiana
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