The Kansas City Chiefs face the prospect of starting the 2024 season without one of their key offseason acquisitions, wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who suffered a sternoclavicular injury during the team’s preseason opener. Initially believed to be a typical shoulder injury, it was later confirmed to be more severe, sidelining Brown for an estimated four to six weeks.

According to reports, Brown’s recovery timeline puts his potential return somewhere around the Chiefs’ early regular season games. The team is scheduled to kick off its season at home against the Baltimore Ravens and then the Cincinnati Bengals shortly after.

As roster cuts loom before the start of the regular season, the Chiefs might find themselves exploring options to strengthen their receiver corps through trades, especially given Brown’s temporary absence. Attention has turned towards the Houston Texans, who are seen as having an abundance of talent at the wide receiver position, possibly more than they can feasibly retain.

Among the Texans’ wide receivers, Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Noah Brown are considered certain to make the final roster. This leaves players like John Metchie III, Xavier Hutchinson, Robert Woods, and Ben Skowronek in a precarious position as Houston decides who will fill the remaining spots.

Given the surplus, the Chiefs could find an opportunity to pick up a capable receiver like Robert Woods should he be released by the Texans. Despite being primarily a possession receiver unlike the speedy Brown, Woods has proven his worth as a reliable target, amassing 40 catches for 426 yards and a touchdown over 11 starts the previous year. If the Chiefs and Texans enter trade negotiations, acquiring Woods might cost Kansas City no more than a seventh-round pick—an investment that could provide depth and experience to their receiving group.

As the preseason progresses and roster deadlines approach, the Chiefs’ strategy in compensating for Brown’s absence could significantly impact their early-season performance. Whether via trade or waiver pickups, bolstering their receiving lineup will be a priority for the Chiefs as they prepare to contend without one of their anticipated star players.