Under-the-radar WR could be difference-maker for Chiefs offense during Hollywood Brown's absence

As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to open the NFL season on Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens, they'll have to do so without their top offseason acquisition in wide receiver Hollywood Brown .

Brown could miss multiple games as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury that he suffered during Kansas City's first preseason game. It's an unfortunate blow to the Chiefs' new-look passing game that they hope will be more explosive in 2024.

The Chiefs will need somebody to step up during Brown's absence. The first couple of receivers who probably come to mind doing so are Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, but coach Andy Reid has specific roles for those guys just as he did for Brown. Reid had this to say when he was asked if veteran receiver Justin Watson could be the guy who fills the void left by Brown.

"Yeah, Justin's always kind of always been a big part of it, silently," Reid said. "He doesn't say much, and he doesn't get a lot of publicity. He's always been a pretty big part of what we do. That part won't change. He'll be in there running around. And even when Hollywood comes back, he'll be in there running around. So, he's a smart kid that is skilled and loves to play the game. Plays hard every snap, practice and games."

The Chiefs' coaching staff has always been high on Watson since he joined the team in 2022. He knows the playbook well and won't set the offense back by making mental mistakes. Watson is also a sneaky deep threat who occasionally takes defenses by surprise.

Watson isn't the caliber of player that Brown is, but he should be able to fill in nicely for a game or two. Being paired with the speedy rookie Worthy will help Watson find more open areas in the passing game. With defenses keying in on Worthy, Rice and tight end Travis Kelce, Watson could be an under-the-radar difference maker for K.C.'s offense early on in the season.

Related: Patrick Mahomes explains what JuJu Smith-Schuster brings to the Chiefs in his return to Kansas City