Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster holds no ill will toward Jacksonville safety Andre Cisco. He said Cisco even sent him a DM on social media apologizing for his hit that gave Smith-Schuster a concussion and forced him from the game in the first half when the Chiefs and Jaguars met in November at Arrowhead Stadium.
Now the two teams will meet again at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Arrowhead with the winner earning a spot in the AFC championship game. While Smith-Schuster’s hit was indeed a scary scene, he said he has put that behind him but acknowledged there’s still reason for caution.
“When someone goes down around the league, and you look at my case, it’s been a tough subject because players get hit and they go down so everybody’s going to be emotional,” Smith-Schuster said Thursday. “One of my really good family friends, Tua (Tagovailoa), he’s going through the same situation.
“And for me, everyone around me is emotional. But going into this game we’re just so pumped and ready. We haven’t played ball for two weeks now. So, it’s more so for us to go out there and showcase for our fans.”
It’s possible Cisco could hear plenty of boos coming his way during Saturday’s game, but Smith-Schuster acknowledged the respect he and the Chiefs have for Cisco’s game.
“I just play ball at the end of the day,” Smith-Schuster said. “Everything is setup how it’s supposed to be. I don’t think about the past. I think Cisco’s a great player. He’s an aggressive guy, he plays hard, he has big hits and that just goes to say that I just got to play harder and that’s the respect game that he brings to the table and what we have to bring to the table.”
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said he shouldered some of the blame for Cisco’s big hit on Smith-Schuster, saying he led his receiver a little too far. Mahomes, though, said he plans on being better Saturday.
“They’re a fast, physical team,” Mahomes said of the Jaguars. “They fly around and fly to the football. I’ve got to do better about not leading guys into hits like that. So I’ll try to protect my receivers the best I can, but we’re still going to be aggressive. We’re going to throw the ball down the field when we get the opportunities to.”
That could bode well for Smith-Schuster, who caught 78 passes for 933 yards and three touchdowns this season, his first with the Chiefs after spending five seasons with the Steelers.
“My rookie year, I got this far and lost to Jacksonville,” Smith-Schuster said. “It’s not the best feeling. So for us to go out here and get this W and get this win and get ready for next week is going to be huge for us.”
HARDMAN OUT
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said wide receiver Mecole Hardman will miss Saturday’s game as he’s still trying to recover from an abdominal injury. Reid also said running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) and tight end Jody Fortson (elbow) are also unlikely to play.
CHIEFS TO PLAY IN GERMANY IN 2023
The NFL announced Thursday that the Chiefs will play a regular-season game in Germany sometime during the 2023 season, though the date and time hasn’t been announced. Reid said while he hasn’t thought that far ahead, there is one thing he’s hoping to get on the trip.
“I’m looking forward to getting a bratwurst,” Reid said with a grin.
