The Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes will have to operate without another wide receiver as they continue to navigate a path to the Super Bowl.

On Thursday, the Chiefs announced that Skyy Moore was placed on the injured reserve with what the team called a core muscle injury. The injury will keep Moore out for at least the next four weeks, with the Chiefs’ Nov. 24 matchup against the Carolina Panthers being the earliest he can return to action.

With Marquise “Hollywood” Brown set to miss the season and Rashee Rice suffering a knee injury of his own, the time was right for Moore to grasp the opportunity. However, he had yet to make an impact, not registering a catch on three targets, despite playing 82 offensive snaps and 18 special team snaps in six games.

Moore’s injury came in the wake of the Chiefs’ trade for star wideout DeAndre Hopkins for a conditional fourth-round pick. Hopkins’ acquisition is meant to address the lack of available options for Mahomes with rookie Xavier Worthy, Mecole Hardman, Justin Watson, and Travis Kelce being the main targets.

Shortly after he was traded from Tennessee to Kansas City, Hopkins seemingly threw a thinly veiled jab at the Titans’ organization for not properly utilizing his talents. Speaking to reporters after arriving in Kansas City, the star spoke of his time in Tennessee and the dysfunction surrounding the Titans.

“It means a lot,” Hopkins told reporters. “It takes your game to a different level. It takes your focus, your drive, knowing that you’re playing for something. It takes your game to a different level.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore (24) before an NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs on September 5, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO

Skyy Moore is another name added to the list of players out for the Kansas City Chiefs ( 

Image:

Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“I haven’t played meaningful football in a couple years since we probably started 8-0 in Arizona. So it takes your game to a different level.” With the Titans accruing a 7-16 record the last two seasons, Hopkins believes it is time for him to play meaningful football.

“I think I’ve done a lot, all the accolades that I can accomplish as far as personal,” he continued. “So I think just playing meaningful football in January is what’s left on the list.”

That said, it appears as if another name could soon be missing from the Chiefs: Trey Smith. Smith is Kansas City’s star guard though the team could end up losing him in free agency.

It is being reported that the Arizona Cardinals are interested in Smith’s talents with the 26-year-old projected to receive a four-year, $72 million contract. However, it might take more than just money to coax the star away from Kansas City because of his affinity for the club.

“Our team culture is so unique, Coach Reid; every time we break it down Saturday before our games in the hotel, he always says, ‘Hey, don’t forget, let your personalities show.’ They let us be ourselves in that building,” Smith said on the Everything Orange podcast. “I think that’s so important. We’re having fun out there. Obviously, we’re grown men who are trying to get a job done.

“But at the end of the day, we know we’re having fun beating up people. We’re going to have fun doing it every single time. It’s really special.”