Jawaan Taylor Injury Update: Battling Through Knee & Ankle Pain

Jawaan Taylor’s Current Status

Jawaan Taylor, Kansas City’s stalwart right tackle, is battling ankle and knee injuries, but he didn’t miss a beat in the Chiefs’ recent practice sessions this week—and that’s kind of remarkable if you think about it. Taylor showed up on the injury report ahead of their massive Super Bowl rematch with the Eagles, and the instant reaction from fans was, frankly, “Not again!” Still, it looks like Taylor will suit up for Week 2. When everyone else seems to catch a cold and miss two games, he’s out here strapping on the pads like nothing happened.

Let’s just say as a Chiefs follower, seeing Taylor listed as “Full Participant” is like that sigh of relief when the coffee machine finally turns back on at work after a stressful morning.

What’s Really Going On With the Knee?

Taylor’s knee has been a small saga—he played through much of 2024 with a lingering injury. Most fans never heard the full story, but the guy was getting it drained nearly every week just to play. That’s right: draining fluid, wrapping it up, then battling through 60 minutes of NFL chaos.

Last March, Taylor underwent a scope procedure, a detail he mentioned in passing like it was just a casual tune-up—“oh yeah, just took the knee in for a little service, should be fine now.”

Still, he admits turf games and those ultra-long flights are tough. If you’ve ever tried flying with a sore knee, you know it’s no fun. Imagine four hours crammed in coach, except there’s an Eagles defensive end waiting on the other side who weighs 295 pounds and wants to flatten you every play.

Chiefs O-Line Depth: Just In Case

If Taylor’s knee or ankle flares up, the Chiefs aren’t panicking—but maybe they should just a little. Behind him, the depth chart boasts swing tackle Jaylon Moore (solid, not spectacular) and rookie Josh Simmons (potential, but untested). You almost want to call it a “just-in-case birthday cake” scenario. No, it’s not your favorite, but you’ll still eat it because you’re hungry and it beats nothing.

• Taylor’s backup: Moore, with experience but not Taylor’s consistency.
• Simmons: Highly praised since April, rookie jitters still a possibility.

It’s not end-of-the-world bad, but it’s not ideal either. O-line injuries have derailed entire seasons before, and anyone who watched the Chiefs’ left side crumble last year knows the pain of living through a lineman meltdown.

Playing Through Pain: Taylor’s Track Record

Taylor played 15 games last season with a knee injury, never complaining, never making excuses—just quietly doing the job. That sort of resilience feels almost old-school, like something your granddad would brag about. “Back in my day, we played with half a leg and didn’t say a word!” Taylor’s approach could teach a master class in stoicism for modern athletes—maybe he’s earned a little extra appreciation next time the crowd groans over a holding penalty.

Here’s a little informal table—because why not?—about Taylor’s recent health rodeo: