Marquise “Hollywood” Brown came into the offseason determined to put the frustrations of last year’s injuries behind him. He started the summer strong, working to build his connection with Patrick Mahomes, but an untimely setback has now put his training camp momentum on pause. Chiefs fans are left asking the same question: Will Brown be ready when the season kicks off?
How Will Marquise Brown’s Injury Impact Kansas City Chiefs’ Receiving Corps?
Brown suffered a lower leg injury in late July and hasn’t taken the field since. According to Reuters, the 28-year-old left Tuesday’s practice on a cart after appearing to hurt his lower right leg on a play in the back of the end zone. He was seen limping before exiting, which raised concern given his recent injury history.
Head coach Andy Reid spoke about Brown’s situation, saying, “Making progress, but it’s in that ankle area… It’s not serious. When I say serious, I’m talking about surgery. Doesn’t look like he’s going to have to have surgery, but we got to let it heal up and go.”
With these comments, Reid made it clear the injury isn’t bad enough for surgery, but they still want Brown to rest and recover completely.
This approach makes sense. Brown’s first year with Kansas City, in 2024-25, was interrupted by a preseason sternoclavicular injury to his left shoulder. That kept him out until December, and he managed just two games, catching nine passes for 91 yards and no touchdowns.
The team brought him back in March on a one-year, $7 million contract with $6.5 million guaranteed, according to Spotrac, showing they think he’s still a crucial part of their plans for 2025.
When Marquise “Hollywood” Brown WENT OFF in the first quarter of his first NFL game 🍿 pic.twitter.com/zMMMzmSr4N
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) April 6, 2025
Brown’s career stats highlight his impact. With stints on the Baltimore Ravens (2019-21), Arizona Cardinals (2022-23), and Chiefs, he has put together 322 catches for 3,735 yards and 28 touchdowns in 74 career games, 66 as a starter.
Drafted 25th overall in 2019, Brown brings the kind of speed and playmaking that Kansas City wants in big moments.
Plus, the Chiefs’ receiving group is facing more challenges. Reuters noted that wideouts Xavier Worthy (head) and Skyy Moore (hamstring) also left Tuesday’s practice early. With several receivers managing injuries, Brown’s return looms even larger for the team’s plans.
Can Brown Recover in Time for Week 1 Against the Chargers?
Is Brown at risk of missing the opener? Based on Reid’s comments, it looks like the answer is no, as long as his ankle keeps healing without setbacks. Kansas City is taking a cautious approach, making sure its wide receiver is fully ready for the Week 1 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Right now, Brown isn’t expected to miss the first game, but everything depends on how he progresses over the rest of the month.
