The NFL has made some rule changes in recent years in an attempt to address the nagging problem of player safety, both in terms of physical injuries and brain trauma.
But many feel the league hasn’t done enough in that department, and one team’s upcoming schedule seems to be evidence of that.
The Kansas City Chiefs are in the middle of a stretch that has them playing three games in just 11 days — they defeated the Cleveland Browns this past Sunday and will play the Houston Texans on Saturday and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day.
Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins wants the league to do a better job of giving teams adequate rest and recovery time between each game, per Sports Radio 810 WHB.
#Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins talks about playing three games within ten days.
He says, “I think the league should definitely do something about that… they preach player safety, I don’t feel like this is the best situation for any team.” pic.twitter.com/eeCSsXmZAy
— Sports Radio 810 WHB (@SportsRadio810) December 19, 2024
This compacted part of Kansas City’s schedule is especially problematic considering that quarterback Patrick Mahomes has a high ankle sprain that needs to be managed right as the playoff approach.
The team has a 13-1 record and is comfortably ahead of the Buffalo Bills for the best record in the AFC, and it will have to weigh how important home-field advantage is to it in its quest for a third straight Super Bowl championship.
Kansas City has already had to deal with injuries to starting running back Isiah Pacheco and wide receiver Rashee Rice, and the last thing they need is to lose Mahomes for a stretch of games.
Many have been calling for Mahomes to sit out this Saturday’s game, especially since the Chiefs have a bit of a cushion in the standings.
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