Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp | Ed Zurga/GettyImages

The Kansas City Chiefs were given great injury news earlier in the week with corner Kristian Fulton returning to padded practice. It was an exciting step for a player expected to be a key contributor in a loaded Kansas City defense. However, the great news was short-lived with another frustrating injury update coming to light.

Rookie running back Brashard Smith hurt his finger and put his status for the preseason game into question. This is a huge potential setback for a player who needs to try and impress at every single opportunity. The Chiefs are loaded at the position.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid says that Fabien Lovett tweaked his ankle and came back in. He says Brashard Smith hurt his finger.

— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) August 7, 2025

Chiefs Given Frustrating Injury Update After Key Defender’s Return

This leaves Smith an incredibly difficult uphill battle to make the roster. The only clear path is finding a role in the preseason and making it impossible to cut the seventh-round selection. However, this is now in jeopardy, leaving the more accomplished Chiefs’ backs more time to cement their status ahead of Smith.

The frustrating injury updates weren’t done there either, with defensive lineman Fabien Lovett tweaking his ankle while in a similar position to the rookie running back. Lovett was signed as an undrafted free agent a season ago.

For Lovett to make the Kansas City roster, the second-year defender is going to need to follow a similar path. It will take consistently impressive camp and preseason reps for this to happen. An ankle injury can often linger depending on the severity, and puts the roster spot and potential depth piece into question, not only at the end of the preseason but moving into game one. With this in mind, both players should be pushing to get on the field as quickly as possible.

The Chiefs’ first preseason game is set for August 9th at 8:00 PM EST on the road against the Arizona Cardinals. Having either player ready for this matchup seems doubtful if the injuries are anything of note. Based on the report, it is hard to judge the severity or how quickly either player will be able to make their way back into the lineup.

Regardless, it is important to note reps if neither is able to go on Saturday, with only two preseason games remaining before difficult roster cuts get the franchise ready for the season, it is a story to keep a close eye on as camp continues.