The Kansas City Chiefs finally got a bit healthier in Week 13 — after the return of veteran impact playmakers Isiah Pacheco and Charles Omenihu. Now, it appears wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is on the mend.
On the morning of December 1, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport relayed that Brown is “nearing return,” and the long-time reporter provided two potential dates to circle when it comes to the former 1,000-yard pass-catcher.
“Brown has an appointment in Week 15 with his surgeon to potentially gain final clearance, per sources,” Rapoport informed. “At that point, if all goes as well as it has been, he’s expected back on the practice field and could even play in Weeks 16 or 17.”
This points to a possible December 21 or December 25 (Christmas Day) return for Brown. Rapoport also noted that his sources call it “likely” that the wideout will play in some capacity before the regular season is over.
Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown Seen Catching Balls One-Handed on Social Media
This injury update comes after Brown generated some positive social media buzz on his Instagram story on November 26. KSHB 41 reporter Nick Jacobs shared the video clip on X.
In it, Brown catches footballs with his right hand out of a JUGS machine — helmet on. Although Brown is down on one knee in the clip, it’s important to remember that he suffered a shoulder injury.
“Brown suffered a sternoclavicular shoulder joint injury in the Chiefs’ preseason opener in August,” Rapoport reminded in his article. “The initial plan was to rehab and return, but he didn’t heal as well as first hoped and underwent surgery in early September.”
With that in mind, it’s clear that Brown’s progress can be seen in this video. Hopefully, the Chiefs can get him back on the field in the coming weeks as Rapoport reported.
Chiefs Limit Snap Counts of Isiah Pacheco & Charles Omenihu in Week 13
Circling back to Pacheco and Omenihu, the running back had the more impactful return versus the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kansas City gave Pacheco approximately 36.6% of the offensive snap share in Week 13 according to Pro Football Focus — one snap behind Kareem Hunt at the position. Despite that, the third-year RB outproduced Hunt after popping a 34-yard gain on the ground.
He finished with 44 rushing yards off 7 carries, as well as 1 catch for 5 receiving yards.
Omenihu logged a higher snap share than Pacheco at exactly 50% of the defensive snap count in Week 13 (per PFF). 23 of those 34 snaps came as a pass rusher — his specialty — while 7 were in run defense and 4 were considered coverage snaps.
PFF did credit Omenihu with 1 quarterback pressure during his 2024 debut, a QB hurry. Aside from that, he only registered 1 tackle assist and he was also charged with 1 missed tackle, so it wasn’t the best return for the veteran pass rusher.
According to PFF, the versatile Omenihu lined up outside the offensive tackle on 21 of his 34 defensive snaps. Another 6 snaps started out “over the tackle,” with 5 coming in the B-gap and a couple more where he lined up off the defensive line as a “box” linebacker.
Pacheco and Omenihu will likely see their respective workloads increase progressively as the Chiefs ramp up for another playoff run. Although KC has already clinched a postseason berth at 11-1, they’re still battling for the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the Buffalo Bills are right on their heels.
At 9-2, the Bills can creep back within one game of the Chiefs with a win in Week 13. Remember, based on head-to-head record, Buffalo holds the playoff seeding tiebreaker over Kansas City.
