It feels like this season has been injury heavy one for practically every team in the league. The Kansas City Chiefs haven’t been immune to it either. Their offense has frankly been gutted by injuries, especially when it comes to wide receivers. Rashee Rice is out for the season with a knee injury, and Hollywood Brown’s out for the moment till he gets shoulder surgery. Plus, running back Isiah Pacheco is also out, though we’re expecting to see him back in action this season.

In the middle of all this, a glimmer of hope for the Chiefs, as wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has been spotted back at practice as of this Friday. There might be a chance we’ll see him take to the field against the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday.

Smith-Schuster has mostly had a quiet season with the exception of the last game against the Saints. He went wild against the Saints, making 7 receptions for 130 yards, a great game for any wide receiver. Of course, we’re not guaranteed to see him this Sunday, even if he is already practicing.

Smith-Schuster is still on the questionable list, and it might be best for him to rest this one out. There are a couple of replacements who might have to step up if it comes to that. Names like Skyy Moore and Mecole Hardman Jr. pop up, though these are relatively inexperienced and unproven players. It’s still possible the Chiefs have a hidden weapon up their sleeves, though.

Besides JuJu Smith-Schuster, who can be the next Chiefs’ weapon?

Here’s the thing about the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense right now. It’s not that there isn’t a lot of talent still standing. A lot of these young players like Smith-Schuster can really shine on the field on their best day. But you can’t guarantee the consistency that comes with having experienced players with a squad like that. So what the Chiefs should be looking for right now is veteran players, just right to fill in the injury gaps and pad out their roster.

This is where Carolina Panthers’ Adam Thielen comes in. Having spent most of his career with the Vikings, Thielen is currently on a $25 million 3-year contract with the Panthers that he signed last year. With 60 touchdowns to his name, and 3 1000+ yard seasons, he’s had a fairly successful career. Thielen had previously suggested that he would like to play for the Chiefs. This was before he was signed by the Panthers, though.

With the Panthers’ campaign in hot waters, sacrificing a few of the golden names on their roster for better picks in next draft isn’t a bad option. With him being placed on injured reserve 3 weeks ago for a hamstring injury, this might even seem like the best time. Let’s see which way the penny drops.