The Kansas City Chiefs got themselves an early Christmas present that could help solve a head-scratching equation for the offense. The team’s prize of the 2024 NFL free agency period, WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, will officially be activated to the 53-man roster from injured reserve ahead of Saturday’s Week 16 game against the Houston Texans. FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz was the first to report.
Brown suffered a sternoclavicular joint injury during the Week 1 preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which saw him sent to a local area Jacksonville hospital. The team initially waited to see if the injury would heal on its own, but Brown eventually opted for surgery upon learning that the injury wasn’t healing properly. At first, there wasn’t great optimism that he’d be able to return during the regular season, let alone for a playoff run, given that the injury and his surgery were quite rare.
Brown was placed on injured reserve after his surgery. He kept at it in his rehab and recovery, and his surgeon cleared him to return to football activities last Friday. He was designated to return to practice, opening his 21-day practice window. After just one limited practice session and three consecutive full participation practices this week, the Chiefs feel confident that Brown is ready to go. A big part of that confidence stems from the fact that this is an upper-body injury and that Brown has been able to stay in football shape because of it.
“He’s done a nice job,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid said on Thursday. “I mentioned earlier it wasn’t his leg, so he’s been able to run, keep himself in running shape. But the rest of it, where surgery was at, it looked good.”
There is some hope that Brown’s return could spark the Chiefs’ deep passing game, which has been a major struggle for Kansas City this season as far as consistency is concerned. Some of that has been on the coaching staff, Patrick Mahomes, the offensive line, and even rookie WR Xavier Worthy. It has been an imperfect process all season. But with Brown, he developed a special chemistry with star QB Patrick Mahomes over the offseason that was apparent during the early goings of training camp before he was injured.
“I’ve seen it the entire offseason from working in Texas until here,” Mahomes said. “I remember the first day, I told guys like Drue (Tranquill) like, ‘Hey, he tracks (the ball) down the field well. He can really go.’ I think you all saw it today. I’m giving him chances downfield, and he’s making the plays happen. And the more plays he makes, the more we’ll continue to give him chances. It’s a good addition to our offense.”
The Chiefs did not have to make room for Brown on the 53-man roster, as they already cleared a roster spot by releasing former first-round draft pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Brown, 27, was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. He’s spent time in Baltimore and Arizona before landing in Kansas City this offseason. He can play the X, Z, and slot positions in the Chiefs’ offense. His return will unlock some additional chemistry as he reunites with DeAndre Hopkins, a former teammate on the Cardinals in 2022.
