Kansas City Chiefs fans had a mix of anticipation and concern this weekend as star pass rusher Chris Jones returned to Arrowhead Stadium just in time for Sunday’s matchup.
Jones had been listed on the team’s injury report late Saturday under the ‘non-injury related/personal’ category after flying to Mississippi for the funeral of his aunt.
Timely Arrival Before Kickoff
According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Jones’ flight back to Missouri was scheduled to land around 2:40pm local time, roughly 30 minutes before the game.
Fans watching nervously were relieved when, just about 25 minutes before kickoff, Jones appeared at Arrowhead dressed in a black suit, black tie, and crisp white shirt, ready to support his team despite recent personal tragedy.
A Slow Start for the Veteran
The 31-year-old veteran is in his tenth NFL season, and it’s been a slow beginning for him statistically.
Through the first three games, Jones has recorded just one sack, three tackles for loss, and five total tackles—putting him on pace for the fewest tackles since 2016 and roughly matching his sack total from last season.
Chiefs’ Rocky Opening to the Season
The Chiefs themselves have struggled out of the gate.
After losses in Brazil to the Los Angeles Chargers and at home to the Philadelphia Eagles, they finally secured their first win last week with a commanding 22-9 victory over the New York Giants at the Meadowlands.
Ravens Present Another Challenge
Sunday’s opponent, the Baltimore Ravens, hasn’t fared much better.
The Ravens dropped their season opener 41-40 to the Buffalo Bills, managed a win against the Cleveland Browns, and then fell to the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football.
High Stakes for a Super Bowl Contender
With both teams considered Super Bowl contenders—Ravens at +550 and the Chiefs boasting a 13-1 title prediction—Sunday’s matchup is critical.
The result will leave one of these favorites staring at a 1-3 record, putting early pressure on the remainder of the season.