Chiefs' Thornton to miss months with dislocated ankle after injury vs. Raiders
In short
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton injured his left ankle in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 30-27 win over the Las Vegas Raiders and was carted off the field. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the ankle “doesn't look good,” and reports the next day said Thornton would miss 12-16 weeks or three to four months. Fellow receiver Rashee Rice had already left the game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury.
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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton suffered an injury to his left ankle in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders and left the field on a cart, the Associated Press reported. The Chiefs went on to win 30-27. [ 1 , 2 ]
According to the AP, Thornton's left foot bent awkwardly under Raiders safety Treydan Stukes after both players hit the turf following a 55-yard catch from Patrick Mahomes. Thornton tried to stand and celebrate the play but collapsed when he could not put weight on the ankle. Players from both teams knelt in prayer as he was carted off, the AP reported. Newsweek reported that Thornton pointed to fans as he headed to the locker room. [ 1 , 2 ]
Coach Andy Reid said Thornton's ankle “doesn't look good” and that he would be evaluated further in Kansas City, according to the AP. Newsweek reported Thornton had 111 yards and two touchdowns in what it described as a career game, and that Kenneth Walker III rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns, including a 2-yard score on the play after the injury. [ 1 , 2 ]
The Chiefs also lost wide receiver Rashee Rice, who left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury, according to Newsweek. [ 2 , 3 ]
The day after the game, the AP reported, citing a source, that Thornton would miss 12-16 weeks with a dislocated ankle. Reuters reported that Thornton would be out three to four months. Neither report named its source, and only the headlines of both were available. [ 4 , 5 ]
Newsweek reported that the 4-0 Chiefs would rely more on receivers Xavier Worthy and Jalen Royals, and on tight end Travis Kelce, if Rice and Thornton miss time, and that the team could shift toward a run-focused game plan. Week 5 is Kansas City's bye week, with the team scheduled to return Oct. 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The injuries remove two of quarterback Patrick Mahomes's targets for an extended stretch, and Newsweek reported the Chiefs would lean more on Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals and Travis Kelce. Kansas City heads into its bye week at 4-0 before returning to play the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 18, giving the injured players extra rest.
Key facts
- Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton injured his left ankle in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders and was carted off the field. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Kansas City won the game 30-27. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Coach Andy Reid said Thornton's ankle “doesn't look good” and that he would be further evaluated in Kansas City. [ 1 ]
- Thornton posted 111 yards and two touchdowns before the injury, according to Newsweek. [ 2 ]
- Wide receiver Rashee Rice left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The AP reported, citing a source, that Thornton would miss 12-16 weeks with a dislocated ankle; Reuters reported he would be out three to four months. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Kenneth Walker III rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns, Newsweek reported. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Thornton injured his left ankle in the fourth quarter against the Raiders and was carted off the field. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The Chiefs beat the Raiders 30-27 in Las Vegas. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Two outlets reported that Thornton will miss months: the AP, citing a source, said 12-16 weeks; Reuters reported three to four months. [ 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- The exact length of Thornton's absence. The AP, citing an unnamed source, reported 12-16 weeks, while Reuters reported three to four months; only the headlines of those two reports were available, and neither outlet named its source.
- How long Rashee Rice will be out. No diagnosis or recovery timeline for Rice appears in the documents, which describe only that he left with a hamstring injury.
- Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the ankle “doesn't look good” and that Thornton would be further evaluated in Kansas City. Reported by a single source so far
- Rashee Rice left the game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The AP reports Thornton suffered a left ankle injury in the fourth quarter against the Raiders, was carted off and that Kansas City won 30-27. [ 1 ]
- Newsweek reports Rice left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and that Thornton had 111 yards and two touchdowns. [ 2 ]
- Newsweek reports that Rice left the game early with a hamstring injury. [ 3 ]
- The AP reports, citing a source, that Thornton will miss 12-16 weeks with a dislocated ankle. [ 4 ]
- Reuters reports Thornton will be out three to four months. [ 5 ]