Super Bowl LVIII watch parties in Kansas City area to cheer on Chiefs
2 February 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs usually keep things private, but they’ve been vocal about how much they support wide receiver Kadarius Toney.
The 2021 first-round pick was hailed as one of the team’s top offensive weapons going into the 2023 season. He flashed his incredible athletic ability despite just three touchdowns in 10 games in 2022 (including playoffs) after the Chiefs traded for him from the New York Giants.
But the 25-year-old failed to live up to those expectations with drops and an inability to stay on the field because of health and inadequate play. He garnered just 27 catches, 169 yards and one touchdown.
Toney has been a healthy scratch for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run, including the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens where he left the team to witness the birth of his child and was out because of an ongoing hip and ankle injury.
The Florida product went on Instagram Live to inform fans — in an expletive-laced tirade — that he was not hurt despite being listed on the injury report throughout the season.
“Man, that s— cap,” he said on the Live post. “I’m not hurt.”
“It goes from hip to ankle to this to that. I’m in a full body cast right now at this point,” Toney said.
Head coach Andy Reid refuted those claims on Monday after the win.
“I actually haven’t seen that,” Reid said of Toney’s live stream. “I’ve heard people talk about it. But he’ll be back out there. We’ll see how he does.
“Obviously, he’s been on the injury report. That part, that’s not made up by any means. But he’s been working through some things, and he’ll be back out there.”
On Friday, special teams coordinator Dave Toub said there’s a chance that Toney could return punts in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers.
“There’s a possibility. You know, that’s up to Coach (Reid),” Toub said. “See how the week goes this week. It’ll be that sixth guy, whoever is going to be up at that wide receiver spot. He could. He’s definitely in the mix though.”
Richie James and Mecole Hardman have been the punt returners for the team during the late stretch of this season, and Skyy Moore could also return from injured reserve for the game as well.
Toney has been practicing during the Super Bowl bye week, which signals a decent chance for him to play.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said Toney had a good day of practice Thursday and is in a good headspace.
“I thought he looked good. For us, it’s a day-by-day thing for him and where he’s at,” Nagy said Friday.
During the team’s Week 15 win against the New England Patriots, Toney had two crucial drops with one that turned into an interception. Star tight end Travis Kelce was seen putting his arm around Toney at the end of the game in solidarity and told him that the team will always back him up.
“I just want him to know it’s always love in this building,” Kelce said Friday.
“I know guys go through things both in this building and in their personal lives. He had a baby girl, beautiful baby girl, so shout out to Kadarius for that one. But I think you know, what’s real is what happens in this building and how we can channel that.
“And I just wanted to make sure he knew that we were all still behind him and ready to go get the Super Bowl.”