The Chiefs got fantastic news at Friday's practice on JuJu Smith-Schuster's sudden injury ahead of a Week 7 showdown with the 49ers. He was working during the media availability portion, a positive sign that he'll suit up.
Fans were justifiably concerned about Smith-Schuster on Thursday. He caught seven passes for 130 yards in Week 5 and without him, Kansas City's offense would be perilously thin in one of the biggest games of the year.
San Francisco is dealing with their own long list of injuries but rookie WR Ricky Pearsall will make his debut. These are two battered yet contending teams, so Smith-Schuster needs to be on the field.
Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster Working at Friday's Practice
The official injury report will be released Friday afternoon. Based on Andy Reid's history, Smith-Schuster would be unlikely to play if he didn't participate at practice. Now, he's got a real shot to play and stick as the top wide receiver.
Despite Patrick Mahomes and Reid's excellence, the 49ers are favored in the game. They're at home but if Smith-Schuster plays, it's hard to see the Chiefs losing.
Smith-Schuster has been injury-prone throughout his career yet when he's been on the field, he's been extremely effective with Kansas City. Mahomes clearly trusts him, something that can't be said for some of the organization's other wideouts.
It's not set in stone that Smith-Schuster will play on Sunday. Even still, it feels significantly more likely on Friday than it did on Thursday. With each piece of news that comes out about this game, it gets more puzzling that the Chiefs aren't favored to win.
It sounds like DE Mike Danna won't play but as long as Mahomes does, Kansas City is in great shape.
