The Chiefs had a crowded backfield before Playoff Damien took over. What lies ahead?
The Chiefs did not have a player rush for 500 yards for the first time since 1988. A lack of attempts in a pass-heavy offensive scheme. Ineffectiveness. Injury. They all played a factor in the regular season.
Not in the playoffs.
Damien Williams — Playoff Damien, some in the building call him — took over during the postseason ride to the Super Bowl.
2019 FINAL ROSTER: Damien Williams, Darwin Thompson, LeSean McCoy, Anthony Sherman (fullback)
INJURED RESERVE: Spencer Ware (shoulder), Darrel Williams (hamstring)
2020 FREE AGENTS: LeSean McCoy, Spencer Ware, Anthony Sherman
Position review
As the Chiefs arrived in St. Joseph for training camp, Damien Williams expected to be a workhorse running back. It wasn’t some sort of wild vision — the team expected it, too, words from head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy reinforcing a blueprint to have Williams operate as a go-to guy.
And he did; it just took longer than anticipated. Before he scored six postseason touchdowns and topped 100 yards in the Super Bowl, Williams battled three different injuries over the course of the season — a hamstring strain in training camp, a knee injury in the second month of the season and a rib injury a few weeks later.
A position of stability transformed into one of flux.
Five different players led the Chiefs in rushing for at least one game — Williams, Darrel Williams, LeSean McCoy, Darwin Thompson and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
McCoy joined the Chiefs after camp and proved valuable early before fumble issues cost him opportunity. He was a healthy inactive for the Super Bowl, though he ran for 465 yards on 4.6 yards per carry in the regular season.
The Chiefs have praised the potential of Thompson, their sixth-round choice out of Utah State in last year’s draft class. But a requirement for improvement in pass protection will precipitate more consistent time on the field. His contributions on special teams — including a fumble recovery on a kickoff against the Texans in the AFC Divisional Round — kept him active.
The injury bug prompted Kansas City to bring back old friend Spencer Ware, but his return spanned just three games when the bug reached him, a shoulder injury ending his season.
Because of limited roster space, the Chiefs were forced to move Darrel Williams to injured reserve when he damaged his hamstring in December. He has since declared himself healthy.
Looking ahead
Damien Williams, Try No. 2.
Moving Williams to a three-down role was the plan in 2019, and even if it took some detours along the way, it found a smooth ride in the postseason. Look for the Chiefs to repeat that design in 2020. Williams is a fit for the offense — he’s good in pass protection for a team that loves to throw it; and he’s an adept route runner and reliable receiver out of the backfield. In other words, even when he’s ineffective running the ball, he can still place an imprint on a game.
The coaches will expect a leap from Thompson in his second season after the leap from NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision to NFL entailed a learning curve. Darrel Williams should also be back in the fold.
On the chopping block?
McCoy has enjoyed an illustrious 11-year career in the NFL, but if he chooses to prolong it, it’s highly unlikely it will include a second year in Kansas City. He fell out of favor last in the season and will be 32 by the time training camp rolls around in late summer.
The Chiefs brought in Ware as an insurance policy they don’t need to tap into, at least not yet, leaving him vulnerable, as well.
Sherman signed a one-year contract last March and remained an integral part of special teams, playing more than 73 percent of the snaps for that unit. A reunion makes sense.