Houston Texans: Eight concerns about the matchup with Kansas City Chiefs

Concerns #3 and #4: From injuries to high expectations

3.  BP:  A KC offensive lineman stepped on Patrick Mahomes’ ankle during Sunday night’s game against the Colts, do you see this as something that’s going to affect him long-term, especially with his brilliant footwork?

CJ:  No, I don’t expect it to affect him long-term, though it did affect him Sunday evening. And it affected him in Week 1 when he went down with ankle injury, even leaving the field before returning. In both instances, after the ankle injury, Mahomes seemed less effective. He’s a magician when he can work outside of the pocket, and with an ankle issue, he can’t do that. Which, in turn, changes what plays Reid calls. But like earlier in the season, Mahomes rebounded and was back to his old self in Week 2.

4.  BP:  What player on your team that had such high expectations is such a disappointment on the roster this season?

CJ:  I could go with a couple here, but I’ll stick to just one: Frank Clark. In the offseason, the Chiefs jettisoned starting pass rushers Justin Houston and Dee Ford before acquiring Clark in a big trade with the Seahawks and handing him a large extension. To this point, he hasn’t done much. And he knows it, too. I expect him to be worth the deal he signed when he arrived in Kansas City when all is said and done, but so far, he’s not done much, and the defense is worse for it.

5.  BP:  The Houston Texans swapped 2018 third-round draft pick Martinas Rankin for Carlos Hyde right at the start of the season, he’s an offensive guard/tackle with plenty of upside — it just didn’t work out in Houston — so how’s he doing in the Chiefs’ offense so far when he gets his reps?

CJ:  Rankin has only played one offensive snap. Honestly, I don’t remember it. But I did like the trade. I was surprised the Chiefs were able to net anything for Hyde.