Kyle Long injury at Chiefs minicamp opens door for Trey Smith to earn starting job

A serious Kyle Long injury could keep the Chiefs offensive lineman out of training camp and open a path for Trey Smith to earn a starting job.

After spending the 2020 NFL season out of football, former Pro Bowl offensive guard Kyle Long suffered a leg injury during Kansas City Chiefs minicamp on Wednesday.

This injury is not severe enough to sideline him into the season, but it will likely keep Long out through training camp.

If there is good news from it, further testing suggests the veteran offensive lineman could be back in time for the Chiefs to start the regular season. Injuries derailed Long’s promising career with the Chicago Bears, forcing him into early retirement after the 2019 season.

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Kansas City Chiefs: Kyle Long to miss all of training camp due to leg injury

Long signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million as the Chiefs looked to rebuild the offensive line to protect Patrick Mahomes. With sixth-round pick Trey Smith shining in the early part of the Chiefs’ offseason, the team does have insurance in case Long isn’t able to return to full health to start the season.

The silver lining to Long’s injury means it’ll provide Smith with more reps to show what the former Tennessee star can do in the NFL. He was already pegged as one of the best value picks in the draft so he may be able to earn a starting job as a rookie, or until Long is ready to return.

Having too many good offensive linemen is a great problem to have. Keep in mind that offensive line depth is the biggest reason why the Chiefs lost Super Bowl 55 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.