Can the Chiefs avoid disaster? Andy Reid reacts to latest preseason injury setback
Alohi Gilman’s absence adds pressure to a Kansas City secondary still searching for stability
The Kansas City Chiefs entered the final stages of the preseason focused on evaluating their roster and preparing for another Super Bowl push, but Andy Reid ’s plans have been complicated by another defensive injury concern.
Safety Alohi Gilman was ruled out shortly before Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after suffering a back issue during warmups.
The setback came at an important time for Kansas City , with roster cuts approaching and players competing for limited spots on the 53-man roster.
The Chiefs were already managing several injuries on defense, and Gilman ’s absence created another challenge for a secondary that is relying on a mix of experienced veterans and younger players heading into the 2026 season.
Reid explained after the game that Gilman ’s issue appeared suddenly before kickoff.
“Alohi in warm-ups had some low back spasms, so he didn’t play,” Reid said. “Then Tyreke Smith tweaked his right hamstring. Not sure how bad that is, but it was bad enough to where he couldn’t continue.”
Gilman role makes injury a concern
While preseason injuries are common, Gilman ’s situation carries extra importance because of the role Kansas City expected him to play this season.
The former Notre Dame standout signed with the Chiefs in March after spending most of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers . Selected in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Gilman developed into a dependable safety with valuable experience in coverage and run support.
He appeared in 17 games last season, recording 90 tackles, nine passes defended, one forced fumble and one defensive touchdown. Across his career, Gilman has registered 290 tackles, five interceptions, 27 passes defended and five forced fumbles.
Kansas City brought him in to add leadership and stability following changes in the secondary, making his absence more significant as the team continues to evaluate its defensive depth.
The Chiefs were already without safety Chamarri Conner , who is dealing with a knee injury. That forced younger players, including Jaden Hicks and rookie Xavier Nwankpa , into larger roles during the preseason matchup.
Managing defensive injuries before Week 1
Gilman and Conner are part of a growing injury list that has affected Kansas City throughout the preseason.
Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott has missed time while recovering from a torn ACL, linebacker Jack Cochrane remains sidelined with a knee issue, and defensive end Ashton Gillotte has also been unavailable.
Linebacker Drue Tranquill has dealt with back spasms, while cornerback Mansoor Delane recently returned to action. The Chiefs also lost defensive end Tyreke Smith during the Buccaneers game after he suffered a hamstring injury.
Kansas City still has time before its regular-season opener against the Denver Broncos , meaning several players could recover before the games begin to count.
However, every missed practice and preseason opportunity makes roster decisions more difficult for Reid and his coaching staff.
The Chiefs ’ preseason results are less important than finding the right combination of players, but keeping key contributors healthy remains one of the team’s biggest priorities as the season approaches.
