Missing six games with a hamstring injury could set anybody back, especially a rookie. But Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie picked up right where he left off.
McDuffie, who injured his hamstring in the first half of Week 1, returned last Sunday against the Titans and never let the receiver he was guarding catch a pass. McDuffie did that in his NFL debut but this time did it for four quarters.
“I think the big thing was the confidence,” McDuffie said Wednesday as the team prepared for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. “You can’t get a traditional game-like rep until you really do it. So being able to go out here and play the full game and just being confident knowing my teammates trust me now and that I still am sharp with it was big for me.”
McDuffie said he was working overtime to get on the field as quickly as he could, but his body told him to be patient. McDuffie listened and credited his support system to get him through the longest injury of his career.
“I was always trying to come back quick, but my body said not yet,” McDuffie said. “So being patient and finally just listening to my body, listening to my support system, my family and hearing that they told me it’s OK to take your time and let it heal because it is a long season and I’d rather look to the future. I’m here now and I feel like my leg is definitely 100 percent healed.”
McDuffie had one tackle and one assist against the Titans and was only targeted twice. Chiefs coach Andy Reid was pleased with his rookie’s performance.
“I thought he made some nice plays,” Reid said. “He was in good position. His ability to go up through the receiver but not interfere with them I thought was big, and get hands on the ball was big. And he tackled and he was in position to tackle. So he did a nice job.”
While Titans backup Malik Willis completed just 5 of 16 passes for 80 yards, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence might fare better.
“He has a strong arm,” McDuffie said of Lawrence. “He’s somebody who can put the ball anywhere. He’s really good in the pocket and he’s pretty elusive so you’re going to have to bring him down.
“He’s one of those guys who might not slide. He might run through contact ad get a few extra yards. So just being conscious of that and knowing we have to move him off the spot and make plays when they come to us.”
